Ruthless bowling from the Proteas saw them skittle Australia for 152 in the first ODI in Perth.
It was an incredible start from the Proteas bowlers, who once again showed their class.
Dale Steyn and Lungi Ngidi were incredible upfront. Ngidi opened up with two maidens while Steyn’s two early strikes saw his two half-volleys outside off-stump find the edges of Travis Head (one) and D’Arcy Short (duck).
Short’s wicket drew out a trademark superman catch from Faf du Plessis at second slip, who would have been delighted with his side’s phenomenal start.
Ngidi struck in his third over by trapping Australia captain Aaron Finch (five) lbw from a lethal inswinger. It was, however, surprising that the skipper never reviewed the decision on a bouncy wicket as replays showed that the ball was missing the top of middle stump.
Unfortunately for the hosts, they found themselves 8-2 after six overs and 19-3 after the powerplay (their third-lowest powerplay total in history).
Australia lost a fourth in the 17th over as Andile Phehlukwayo found a faint inside edge from Chris Lynn (15) that carried to Quinton de Kock behind the stumps.
After being wrapped on the thumb by a steep Ngidi delivery, Glenn Maxwell (11) lifted the ball to Heinrich Klaasen at mid-on, Phehlukwayo picking up his second wicket. Marcus Stoinis managed 14 before he too lifted one to Klaasen at mid-on, Phehlukwayo with his third wicket and Austalia 66-6 after 21 overs.
Australia prolonged their demise to lift themselves to 89, but an incredible side-arm fling from David Miller caught Pat Cummins (12) well short of his crease.
Alex Carey showed fight for his 33 but played a foolish scoop while attempting to clear De Kock, who ran back to take a simple catch. Imran Tahir also removed Mitchell Starc lbw for 12.
With expectations drained, Nathan Coulter-Nile played with confidence. He scored 34 off 31 balls (five fours and a six) but Ngidi dismissed him after he picked out Klaasen with an attempted pull-shot.
Australia were all out for 152 in 38.1 overs
Australia innings – 152; Nathan Coulter-Nile 34 Alex Carrey 33; Andile Phehlukwayo 3-33, Dale Steyn 2-18
Photo: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
