Australia, looking to script a turnaround in ODI cricket after a poor sequence of results, went down by six wickets in the first game of the three-match series against South Africa following a terrible batting performance.

A number of Australian batsmen got starts, but only Alex Carey and Nathan Coulter-Nile got past 30 as they were bowled out for 152.

Dale Steyn (2-18) was the Player of the Match, but all the South African bowlers – Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir and Andile Phehlukwayo – were on the money on the day.

Quinton de Kock (47), Reeza Hendricks (44) and Aiden Markram (36) then led the reply to take South Africa past the finish line in just 29.2 overs.

“You’d say that guys are probably at times doubting themselves,” Aaron Finch, the new ODI captain, said after the loss. “And when you’re three for eight, you probably have to go and play a different style of one-day cricket than what you map out in your head about how you think the game will unfold.

“When guys are not performing as well as they can do, there’s always going to be a bit of doubt. But you’re only one good shot away from feeling on top of the world again. I think it’s about understanding it’s not all doom and gloom.

“It will turn (around). The way that we’re training, believe me, the wheel will turn. And it will happen quickly.”

The second ODI will be played in Adelaide on Friday, November 9.

Related tags:

AustraliaSouth Africa Aaron FinchDale SteynInternational CricketMatch Coverage