Aiden Markram’s century and a successful spin attack saw South Africa beat Australia by 111 runs in the third ODI here on Tuesday to win their first match of the five-game series.
Markram scored an unbeaten 102 as he propelled the hosts to 338/6 after they had been put in to bat, to which Australia replied with 227, bowled out with 15 overs to spare.
Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi both took two wickets as their spin halted a brisk Australia response.
However, South Africa did get lucky when David Warner was run out and Tim David then given out after a review of a catch that looked to have been dropped but was ruled fair by the fourth umpire after a TV review.
Markram also had a touch of fortune about reaching his second ODI century, dropped in the deep on 95 which allowed him to reach the three-figure milestone.
But it was a vital innings that propelled the Proteas to a formidable total after they lost their way mid-innings.
They began in rampant fashion as Quinton de Kock and captain Temba Bavuma put on an opening stand of 146 before De Kock was undone by Travis Head’s offspin and holed out for 82 runs. Bavuma went quickly next for 57 and the home team’s run rate slowed markedly.
Markram revived the innings after David Miler departed cheaply in the 42nd over, leaving the hosts 244/5. Adjudged Man of the Match for his unbeaten innings off 74 balls, Markram ensured a formidable target with some powerful hitting in the last overs.
It did not seem to trouble the tourists, however, with Warner and Head hitting the ball to all corners and Australia racing to 104/1 off 10 overs. But when Warner slipped, lost his shoe and was run out by Maharaj’s dead-eye throw, despite a despairing dive, the match turned.
Brief scores: South Africa 338/6 in 50 ovs. (A. Markram 102 n.o., Q. De Kock 82). Australia 227 in 34.3 ovs (D. Warner 78; G. Coetzee 4/50, T. Shamsi 2/29). South Africa won by 111 runs.
