The first game of the three-match one-day series, preparation for both teams ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup, saw Labuschagne score an unbeaten 80 from No.8, helping Australia recover from a top-order collapse in a low-scoring match.

Coming in as a concussion substitute for Cam Green who retired hurt, Labuschagne spearheaded Australia’s 223-run chase, combining with No.10 Ashton Agar (48) in a 112-run eighth-wicket stand. At one point, Australia had slipped to 113-7, but Labuschagne and Agar’s partnership first arrested the slide, and then took the visitors home.

Green, yet to get off the mark, was facing his second ball when a Kagiso Rabada bouncer reared into his helmet as he tried to duck. He walked off for what Cricket Australia later confirmed as a precautionary scan, but won’t be available to play until the last game, on September 17.

Labuschagne, interestingly, isn’t part of Australia’s squad for the 2023 World Cup, neither was he on the initial squad for the South Africa tour, but came in as cover for Steve Smith who injured his wrist. Teams have until September 28 to make any last-moment changes to their World Cup squads.

Barring Labuschagne and Agar, only opener Travis Head crossed 20, as Australia’s batters crumbled against the South African quicks. David Warner was out for a two-ball duck, with Josh Inglis, Alex Carey and Abbott also falling for single-digit scores.

South Africa, too, suffered a collapse of their own, with their innings largely built on Temba Bavuma’s 114. Only Marco Jansen, at No.7, crossed 20 among the rest, with Josh Hazlewood picking three wickets followed by two from Marcus Stoinis.

Labuschagne was named Player of the Match, revealing later that his mother, Alta, had a feeling he would have a role to play in the game, despite not being in the playing XI.

SA vs AUS, first ODI – Watch the highlights here: