Published on, Aug. 20 -- August 20, 2025 6:47 AM

South Africa's Aiden Markram hit 82 before left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj tore through Australia's new-look batting order as the Proteas claimed the One-Day International series opener by 98 runs in Cairns on Tuesday.

Sent in to bat, Markram - opening for the first time in ODIs since 2021 - crunched nine boundaries in his 81-ball knock to power South Africa to a formidable 296-8. Skipper Temba Bavuma (65) and Matthew Breetzke (57) also helped set the tone for the three-match ODI series.

In reply, openers Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head flattened South Africa's pacemen as Australia raced to 60-0 after seven overs.

But the match flipped after the introduction of spin, with Maharaj conjuri...