Hauritz eases Australia to victory

Michael Hussey's quickfire 83 set South Africa a total of 286 they could not match

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Nathan Hauritz claimed four wickets to help Australia ease to a 141-run victory over South Africa in the first one-day international in Durban.

The New South Wales spinner claimed the key wicket of Graeme Smith for 52 and looked dangerous throughout as the home side were bundled out for a paltry 145 in pursuit of the visitors’ 286 for seven, which was built around Michael Hussey’s unbeaten 83.

Brad Haddin (53) also notched a half-century for the Australians, who recovered from being 115 for four just after the 20th over to post the third-highest total ever in a ODI at Kingsmead.

In the end, the Proteas were all out in 33.1 overs and suffered their worst ever defeat against their opponents in the 50-over game.

Like Makhaya Ntini did for the home side, Nathan Bracken struck early for the visitors when he tempted Hashim Amla to play at a wide ball that was tickled behind to Haddin for seven.

It was a bonus wicket for Australia who only appealed half-heartedly, but Amla walked off to leave his side at 17 for one.

His opening partner Smith then survived a massive appeal for lbw off Mitchell Johnson (2-24), before helping his side fight back in a half-century stand with Herschelle Gibbs.

The South Africa number three was out not long after though, snapped by a superb catch from a diving Michael Clarke at point off James Hopes (2-24) for 33.

In the next over, AB de Villiers (two) was sent on his way, trapped lbw by Johnson.

The outcome at Kingsmead could have been different had Herschelle Gibbs gone on from 33

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Smith then reached his 50 in 51 balls when he tapped Hopes for a single, before a double strike from Hauritz (4-29) saw the hosts slump 110 for three to 112 for five.

First the off-break bowler outfoxed the South African skipper with a flighted delivery that was played straight back to the bowler.

Mark Boucher then tried to sweep Hauritz but top-edged to Haddin without troubling the scorers.

Hopes and Johnson then combined to remove JP Duminy for 25 with a short ball from the former pulled via a mis-hit straight to the latter at mid-on.

And Johnson then sent in one of the deliveries of the day to get rid of Johan Botha – the ball was banged in and kicked off the pitch leaving the batsman no option but to try and fend off as it grazed the gloves and lobbed straight to Hussey at gully for eight.

Hauritz then claimed the key wicket of Albie Morkel, stumped by Haddin for 14, before Dale Steyn (one) became Ben Laughlin’s first ODI victim when he played an early shot and was caught by Hussey at short cover.

Morne Morkel (two) was last man out caught in the deep by Laughlin off Hauritz with Ntini left not out on two.

Earlier, Michael Hussey was the star as Australia amassed 286 after captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and elected to bat.