RSA VS AUS - 1st ODI, Australia tour of South Africa, 2023

So, that's it from our side! It was a roller-coaster of a ride but Australia won the crunch moments and that's where games are won and lost! What a story it has been for Labuschagne, perhaps he is the calm head Australia needs in a team which is filled with big hitters. He has missed out on the provisional World Cup squad but still there's a glimmer of hope for him. Got to feel for Bavuma, he perhaps played one of the innings of his life but ended up on the losing side, that's how cricket is. We hope you enjoyed our coverage. Join us for the second ODI on 9th September. This is Abhinav Guha signing off on behalf of Saurabh Shankar and Mukesh. Till then, goodbye and cheers!

Mitchell Marsh: Lost few wickets early on, certainly showed some intent. Played without fear and we got lucky, great that Marnus played that way and got us over the line. He is the perfect man to come and do the job. One great thing about Marnus is that he gives it his all. Four games to go in the series. We bowled really well, it is a great Australian win. (On a place for Marnus in the World Cup squad) Luckily I am the stand-in skipper, so I don't have to make those decisions.

Marnus Labuschagne: What a rollercoaster. It’s a strange thing, my mom was adamant last night I’ll play but I told her I’m not in the team. I’ve had some weird things happen with concussions. (On World Cup snub) I’ve been disappointed with how I played one day cricket, I felt like I really needed to improve and didn’t have the pressure last night going to bed, nice it all came together. (On Agar) I was so impressed with him, he stayed calm and waited for the balls in the right areas to open the game after they bowled so well. (On whether he can still make the WC squad) That's not my job, whatever happens is out of my control but I'm very happy to get over the line today. Feels special, the support I’ve had from my family, my mom and my grandmom were there even though I wasn’t playing, and the support I get from South African fans whenever I come here is amazing

Temba Bavuma: Not a high-scoring match you expect here. We were a few runs short but gave ourselves a chance. We lost the ability to create chances, they played well. Conversations to be had about out batting and bowling. Pitch wasn't easy. At night, it started to skid on. During the day, we found it tricky. They bowled well. I didn't find fluency. It helped guys like Klaasen, Markram egged me on. Marnus took the opportunities he got early on and stabilised. Not the first time he came on as a concussion sub, worked for them. Every game is a big game, we will take learning from this game and come out as a better outfit.

Stoinis and Abbott also tried to take on the bowlers but departed in quick succession and Australia were in a lot of trouble at 113/7. But, Marnus was cool as a cucumber and kept keeping the scoreboard ticking and found an able ally in Agar. They mixed caution with aggression to perfection and took the game away from the Proteas. In a modest chase, all you need is one partnership of substance and that is what these two were able to achieve. They stitched together an unbeaten 112-run partnership and took Australia to a memorable victory. Stick around for the presentations...

20:23 Local Time, 18:23 GMT, 23:53 IST: What a turnaround it has been for Australia and they have won quite comfortably in the end with 58 balls to spare and 3 wickets in hand. After South Africa managed to post a fighting score on a sluggish surface courtesy a superlative century from Bavuma, the Australians faltered in the beginning of the run-chase. Their frenetic approach from the get-go landed them in trouble as they lost wickets in heaps. Warner departed for a duck and Marsh couldn't repeat his heroics from the T20I series as Rabada nipped him out with a lovely outswinger. Just moments after that, Green was struck on the left ear to a bouncer from Rabada and he was retired hurt. The visitors lost three more quick wickets and then walked in Labuschagne as the concussion substitute for Green at 72/5. He looked assured from the onset and kept on milking runs.

Markram to Agar, FOUR, Agar does it in style! Also registers his highest ODI score and has played a brilliant hand supporting Labuschagne perfectly! Kudos to Labuschagne for showing his mettle and playing a match-winning knock after coming in as a concussion substitute. Shorter in length, Agar rocks back and cuts it past extra cover and beats the man in the deep. Customary handshakes all around and there are some jubilant faces in the Australian dressing room!

Markram to Agar, no run, on a flatter trajectory and slides on, Agar tries to punch but gets an inside edge down the track

Maharaj to Agar, 1 run, goes back in the crease to the shorter length ball and tucks it to deep mid-wicket to retain strike

Maharaj to Agar, no run, tossed up on off, defended off the front foot towards extra cover

Maharaj to Agar, no run, loopy full ball, kept out watchfully

Maharaj to Agar, no run, shorter in length, punched to the left of Maharaj who dives to stop it

Maharaj to Agar, no run, quicker through the air outside off, Agar pushes at it and gets it off the outer half to backward point

Maharaj to Agar, 2 runs, on a back of a length, punched back to Maharaj who misfields and parries the ball towards mid-on. Brilliant game awareness from the batters as they hare back for the second

Markram to Agar, 1 run, full ball on middle and leg, hit down to long-off for a single. Only 5 needed now

Markram to Agar, no run, flighted delivery drifting in, Agar lunges in defence

Markram to Labuschagne, 1 run, spinning down leg, worked around the corner for an easy single

Markram to Labuschagne, 2 runs, spinnng in from a back of a length, Labuschagne tucks it with soft hands through square leg and returns back for a couple

Markram to Agar, 1 run, quicker and flatter outside off, chopped to covers for a brisk single

Markram to Agar, no run, full ball drifting in, driven back to Markram