South Africa had put up a strong total of 296/8 on the board, giving themselves plenty to defend at Cazaly’s Stadium. The Australian chase began on a promising note with Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh providing a solid opening stand. However, the momentum shifted once spin was introduced, and suddenly the Aussie innings began to wobble.
The architect of the collapse was none other than Keshav Maharaj. The experienced left-arm spinner bowled with accuracy, guile, and discipline, dismantling Australia’s batting order. He claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in ODI cricket, leaving the hosts reeling and struggling to keep their chase alive. More than half the side was back in the pavilion under his spell, and South Africa took full control of the contest.
Among the many impressive deliveries in Maharaj’s spell, it was his very first ball that stood out as the highlight. Introduced in the ninth over, he struck immediately to give South Africa the breakthrough. The victim was none other than Marnus Labuschagne, who had no answer to the brilliance of the delivery.
Maharaj came around the wicket to the right-hander, tossing up a flighted ball that drifted in before sharply turning away. The delivery pitched on middle and leg, only to spin viciously and beat Labuschagne completely. He was trapped plumb in front of his stumps, and the umpire had no hesitation in raising the finger. That one moment set the tone for the carnage that followed.
— Why_Benstokes (@benstokes94425) August 19, 2025
From there, Australia’s innings unraveled rapidly. While Mitchell Marsh tried to hold the chase together with a valiant effort, wickets kept tumbling at the other end. Maharaj’s spell had left the Aussies in tatters, and his first strike—removing Labuschagne with a near-unplayable ball—will be remembered as the moment the match swung decisively in South Africa’s favor.