Maharaj five-for leads S.Africa to biggest ODI victory over Oz in series opener

Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj dismantled Australia with a career-best 5-33 as South Africa romped to a 98-run victory in the first one-day international on Tuesday.

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Maharaj made full use of spin-friendly conditions to help dismiss Australia for 198 with more than nine overs to spare after South Africa had earlier posted 296-8-- the highest ODI total at Cazaly's Stadium in Cairns.

Australia captain Mitchell Marsh made 88 off 96 balls and Ben Dwarshuis scored 33, but Maharaj had done enough damage in his unchanged spell of IO overs to give the Proteas a IO lead in the three-match series.

Travis Head (27) gave Australia an explosive start of 60-0 in the first seven overs when the left-hander smashed fast bowler Nandre Burger for five boundaries in one over.

But in a dramatic turnaround, the home team lost six wickets-five to Maharaj-for the addition of only 29 runs as Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma turned to his slow bowlers inside the batting power play. Australia went from 60-0 to 89-6.