ENG vs SA: Markram, Maharaj star in South Africa's thumping 7-wicket win in 1st ODI

Aiden Markram and Keshav Maharaj stunned England with a crushing 7-wicket win in the first ODI on Tuesday, September 2 at Headingley, Leeds. After being put in to bat first, the hosts were bundled out for a low total of 131 in 24.3 overs as Maharaj (4/22) and Wiaan Mulder (3/33) ran through their batting. In reply, Aiden Markram’s breathtaking knock helped South Africa chase down the low score in just 20.5 overs and helped them go 1-0 up in the five-match series.

Earlier, England came out to bat flexing their batting muscles as Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith came out, scoring a couple of boundaries. It didn’t take long for Nandre Burger to make early inroads into the England batting as he made Duckett (5 off 8) edge one outside off stump to Ryan Rickelton behind the stumps.

Joe Root walked in at number three and got off the mark with a boundary as he added 31 runs for the second wicket. But his stay at the crease ended on 14 (17), courtesy of a stunning low catch by Rickelton behind the stumps. Meanwhile, Jamie Smith looked to be batting on a completely different surface, bringing up his second ODI century off 46 balls.

SA vs ENG 1st ODI Highlights

However, the opener was also involved in a disastrous run out of captain Harry Brook (12 off 18), who was found short of his crease, while attempting a second run in the 14^th over, which left England on 82/3. From there on, England's batting collapsed against the spin and seam duo of Maharaj and Mulder, who took seven wickets between them as the hosts went from 102/3 to 131 all out.

As a result, England were bundled out for their lowest first innings score against South Africa in ODIs, while Maharaj (4/22) registered the best bowling figures by a South Africa spinner in ODIs against England.

Dewald Brevis finishes off in style

In the second innings, Makram came out all guns blazing, whacking three boundaries against Sonny Baker in the first over itself. England almost got an early breakthrough as Rickelton edged Jofra Archer behind the stumps, but Joe Root couldn’t grab the ball safely at first slip.

From there on, it was pure carnage at Headingley as Markram unleashed his beast mode on England and brought up his half-century off just 23 balls. He missed out on a well-deserved century, being dismissed for 86 (55) by Adil Rashid, who ended the massive 121-run stand between the duo. Rashid further got rid of Temba Bavuma (6 off 9) and Tristan Stubbe (0), with South Africa just one run away from victory.

However, Dewald Brevis finished things off in style, clobbering Rashid for a maximum and took South Africa over the line in 20.5 overs. World number one Maharaj was deservedly adjudged Player of the Match as South Africa got the series off to a thumping start.