Head's part-time spin again troubles South Africa
Australia's aggressive opening batter was the pick of the bowlers with 4-57 as South Africa made a competitive 8-296 in the first ODI in Cairns.
Head grabbed opener Ryan Rickelton (33), as well as Tristan Stubbs (0) and rising star Dewald Brevis (6) within three balls.
The Proteas need no reminder of Head's part-time capabilities after he took two crucial wickets in Australia's road to the World Cup title in 2023.
Rickelton made a productive start with World Test Championship final hero Aiden Markram, the pair putting on 92 for the opening wicket.
Markram (82) played flawlessly for his first 80 balls, but fell to a stock-standard delivery from Ben Dwarshuis (2-53) when seemingly headed for a fourth ODI century.
WTC-winning captain Temba Bavuma returned for his first match since the historic final at Lord's two months ago, crafting a patient 65 before being bowled by Dwarshuis when trying to lift the run-rate with four overs left.
Allrounder Wiaan Mulder, fresh off his extraordinary 367 not out in a Test against Zimbabwe last month, delivered in the final overs with a blazing unbeaten 31.
Earlier, South Africa suffered a major blow, losing spearhead Kagiso Rabada for the three-match series.
The 30-year-old will miss the 50-over games in northern Queensland due to an ankle injury.
Australia fielded first after captain Mitch Marsh won the toss and elected to send the Proteas in to bat.
When captaining Australia, Marsh has won the toss 21 times and chosen to field every time.
It is South Africa's first ODI against Australia since they suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the 2023 World Cup semi-final.
Australia opted to play Alex Carey as a specialist batter, electing to use Josh Inglis as the wicketkeeper instead of their Test gloveman.
Josh Hazlewood is playing, but his fellow Test quicks Pat Cummins and Mitch Starc are resting ahead of the Ashes summer.
Travis Head has proved his World Cup semi-final cameo was no fluke, again causing South Africa's batters problems with his off-spin.
Australia's aggressive opening batter was the pick of the bowlers with 4-57 as South Africa made a competitive 8-296 in the first ODI in Cairns.
Head grabbed opener Ryan Rickelton (33), as well as Tristan Stubbs (0) and rising star Dewald Brevis (6) within three balls.
The Proteas need no reminder of Head's part-time capabilities after he took two crucial wickets in Australia's road to the World Cup title in 2023.
Rickelton made a productive start with World Test Championship final hero Aiden Markram, the pair putting on 92 for the opening wicket.
Markram (82) played flawlessly for his first 80 balls, but fell to a stock-standard delivery from Ben Dwarshuis (2-53) when seemingly headed for a fourth ODI century.
WTC-winning captain Temba Bavuma returned for his first match since the historic final at Lord's two months ago, crafting a patient 65 before being bowled by Dwarshuis when trying to lift the run-rate with four overs left.
Allrounder Wiaan Mulder, fresh off his extraordinary 367 not out in a Test against Zimbabwe last month, delivered in the final overs with a blazing unbeaten 31.
Earlier, South Africa suffered a major blow, losing spearhead Kagiso Rabada for the three-match series.
The 30-year-old will miss the 50-over games in northern Queensland due to an ankle injury.
Australia fielded first after captain Mitch Marsh won the toss and elected to send the Proteas in to bat.
When captaining Australia, Marsh has won the toss 21 times and chosen to field every time.
It is South Africa's first ODI against Australia since they suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the 2023 World Cup semi-final.
Australia opted to play Alex Carey as a specialist batter, electing to use Josh Inglis as the wicketkeeper instead of their Test gloveman.
Josh Hazlewood is playing, but his fellow Test quicks Pat Cummins and Mitch Starc are resting ahead of the Ashes summer.
Travis Head has proved his World Cup semi-final cameo was no fluke, again causing South Africa's batters problems with his off-spin.
Australia's aggressive opening batter was the pick of the bowlers with 4-57 as South Africa made a competitive 8-296 in the first ODI in Cairns.
Head grabbed opener Ryan Rickelton (33), as well as Tristan Stubbs (0) and rising star Dewald Brevis (6) within three balls.
The Proteas need no reminder of Head's part-time capabilities after he took two crucial wickets in Australia's road to the World Cup title in 2023.
Rickelton made a productive start with World Test Championship final hero Aiden Markram, the pair putting on 92 for the opening wicket.
Markram (82) played flawlessly for his first 80 balls, but fell to a stock-standard delivery from Ben Dwarshuis (2-53) when seemingly headed for a fourth ODI century.
WTC-winning captain Temba Bavuma returned for his first match since the historic final at Lord's two months ago, crafting a patient 65 before being bowled by Dwarshuis when trying to lift the run-rate with four overs left.
Allrounder Wiaan Mulder, fresh off his extraordinary 367 not out in a Test against Zimbabwe last month, delivered in the final overs with a blazing unbeaten 31.
Earlier, South Africa suffered a major blow, losing spearhead Kagiso Rabada for the three-match series.
The 30-year-old will miss the 50-over games in northern Queensland due to an ankle injury.
Australia fielded first after captain Mitch Marsh won the toss and elected to send the Proteas in to bat.
When captaining Australia, Marsh has won the toss 21 times and chosen to field every time.
It is South Africa's first ODI against Australia since they suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the 2023 World Cup semi-final.
Australia opted to play Alex Carey as a specialist batter, electing to use Josh Inglis as the wicketkeeper instead of their Test gloveman.
Josh Hazlewood is playing, but his fellow Test quicks Pat Cummins and Mitch Starc are resting ahead of the Ashes summer.
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