Centurion Matthew Breetzke, Marco Jansen lead Proteas' counter-punch in first ODI against Australia

Centurions Matthew Breetzke and Marco Jansen spearheaded the Proteas' second ODI response against Australia at Kingsmead, setting up a daunting target for the visitors. The South Africans were tasked with rebuilding after Australia's Mitchell Marsh, standing in for Pat Cummins, opted to field on a damp and humid Durban pitch. Early wickets to Tony de Zorzi and Nathan Ellis left the Proteas struggling at 29/2.

However, Bavuma's steady 30-ball innings and Breetzke's calm approach steadied the innings. Once the pitch dried, Breetzke's counter-punching began. Ryan Rickelton's 27-ball blast was followed by David Miller's brief return to ODI cricket, but Ellis' 2/50 ensured Jansen entered the crease. Breetzke's partnership with Jansen transformed the game as Jansen blasted successive fours and a towering six, elbowing his way to a half-century.

Breetzke, undeterred, continued his century at a steady rate. Jansen's fiery exchange with Ellis was interrupted by Cooper Connolly's sharp return, trapping Breetzke at 275/6 in the 48th over. Jansen followed shortly after to Australia's death bowlers, who held their nerve to concede just 19 runs off the final three overs, leaving South Africa 15 runs short of a formidable 300.