Published: Nov 14, 2014, 12:53 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 14, 2014, 01:57 PM (IST)
By Sameer Jha
Nov 14, 2014
Australia set South Africa a target of 301 in the first One-Day International (ODI) at Perth on Friday. Australia started their innings on a great note, but stuttered mid-way before George Bailey, Matthew Wade and Glenn Maxwell made significant contributions to help the hosts reach a respectable total.
David Warner and Aaron Finch started the proceedings slowly, taking until the sixth over to clear the fence for the first time. They had some luck early on too, as Finch edged one towards gully but was fortunate that there was no fielder there. Warner hit one high into the air the very next over, but the ball fell into no man’s land.
Dale Steyn had Finch trapped LBW in the fifth over, but the Australian opener survived thanks to DRS. The replays suggested that the ball was going above the stumps. Warner looked in good touch, and did the bulk of the scoring initially as Australia reached 50 within nine overs.
Warner was finally dismissed in the 15th over at 46, by Vernon Philander courtesy a terrific catch in the deep by Ryan McLaren. Finch followed Warner and fell in the same over, edging a ball on the offside to Quinton de Kock.
Michael Clarke and Shane Watson then combined to restore some sanity into the Australian innings but failed miserably. Clarke fell to his rival Steyn, whereas Watson was dismissed by Imran Tahir. In what will come as a major cause of concern for the Australians, Clarke injured his hamstring again and would be unable to make any further contribution in the match.
Mitchell Marsh too couldn’t hang around for much longer, and his dismissal left Australia reeling at 144 for the loss of five wickets. George Bailey could have been gone without making an impact too, but he was dropped twice – once by David Miller, and then again by Imran Tahir.
After Marsh’s dismissal, Bailey and Wade formed a steady 92-run partnership to guide the hosts to 236 for 5. Bailey was just starting to break lose, when he was caught brilliantly by Faf du Plessis off Steyn’s bowling.
After Bailey, Glenn Maxwell came in and started hitting the ball like only he can. He got off the mark with a six, and played attacking shots as often as possible.
South Africa will need to perform really well if they have to chase this total, and it won’t be easy against the likes of Mitchell Johnson and co.
Brief scores:
Australia 301 for 8 in 50 overs (David Warner 46, George Bailey 70; Vernon Philander ) vs South Africa.
(Sameer Jha is a reporter at CricketCountry. He can be followed on Twitter at @SameerJha_)
