Australia vs South Africa, 1st ODI - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

South Africa and Australia continue their build-up towards the upcoming 2015 World Cup with a five-match ODI series. The visitors are on a roll at the moment, having won the triangular series in Zimbabwe and then went on to defeat New Zealand in a three-match ODI series.

On the other hand, Australia are in fine ODI form, despite the loss against South Africa in the final of the triangular series. They crushed Pakistan by a 3-0 margin in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and have started the series on the right note, having beaten the visitors by a 2-1 margin in the T20I series.

Having seen a fair amount of grass on the surface, South Africa's captain, AB de Villiers, opted to bowl first on winning the toss.

Both teams welcomed back their star players who were rested for the three-match T20I series. Shane Watson will be playing his first ODI since the 'Australia Day' fixture against England.

Teams:

Australia (Playing XI): David Warner, Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke(c), George Bailey, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade(w), Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Josh Hazlewood.

South Africa (Playing XI): Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock(w), Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers(c), Farhaan Behardien, David Miller, Ryan McLaren, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir.

Both openers started off in a streaky fashion. In Dale Steyn's second over, David Warner got a thick top-edge as he closed the face of the bat on the clip. The ball was in the air forever, but dropped well in front of Imran Tahir, who rushed across from fine-leg.

Aaron Finch also had his fair share of luck. He was adjudged LBW in Steyn's second over. He immediately opted for a review. Replays suggested that the ball was missing leg-stump, much to the relief of the batsman. Australia reached 12/0 at the end of 5 overs

Having survived the initial tough phase, David Warner and Aaron Finch, opened their shoulders. Vernon Philander, Morne Morkel and Ryan McLaren came in for some harsh treatment. Australia raced away to 76/0 after 12 overs.

Back for a second spell, Vernon Philander, got some respite for the visitors. Going for the muscular pull shot, David Warner hit it a bit too square and was brilliantly held by Ryan McLaren. The fielder charged across from deep square leg, dived forward and held onto the catch even as he tumbled onto the ground.

Finch followed his partner back to the hut two deliveries later. He sparred at one that nipped away and offered a simple catch to the wicket-keeper, Quinton de Kock. Suddenly Australia found themselves at 94/2.

Dale Steyn's contest with Michael Clarke was billed as one of the most anticipated duels before the start of the ODI series. Both players had exchanged harsh words prior to the series with Steyn promising to give the Australian captain 'a hard time'.

The fiery pacer tested the Australian captain with a series of sharp bouncers and finally had his man, gloving a simple catch to de Kock off a loopy slower bouncer. Australia were suddenly reduced to 112/3 in the 21st over.

It could have been worse for Australia had David Miller held onto a sitter offered by George Bailey, when the batsman was on 2.

Bailey cut a short and wide ball from Morne Morkel straight to Miller at backward point. He got both hands onto it and somehow contrived to drop it.

To add insult to injury for South Africa, Imran Tahir managed to drop an absolute dolly off his own bowling, to let-off Bailey once again. Will the two dropped chances cost South Africa?

Having dropped a dolly to reprieve George Bailey, Imran Tahir got rid of some of the pain by dismissing Shane Watson. The all-rounder attempted to sweep a well tossed up ball and ended up hitting it straight to Morne Morkel at short fine-leg.

Watson was dismissed for 13 and Australia suddenly found themselves reeling at 130/4 in the 26th over. It was an excellent comeback from South Africa considering Australia were looking set for a 300+ score when the two openers were out in the middle.

Vernon Philander struck for the third time, dismissing Mitchell Marsh, for 10 as the hosts slumped to 144/5 in the 30th over. The Australian all-rounder prodded half-forward to one that nipped back in. The ball found its way through bat and pad, and went on to hit the top of off-stump. Australia continued to flounder, something that wasn't on the anvil when the openers added 94 runs in just 14 overs.

George Bailey and Matthew Wade prevented any further damage though. Both batsmen batted in a positive fashion as they stitched together an useful stand. Runs came in ones and twos with the occasional boundary as Australia crossed the 200-run mark in the 41st over.

There was some bad news for the hosts. Australian captain, Michael Clarke, was reported to have suffered a relapse of his hamstring injury and will play no further part in the match. Clarke was troubled by Steyn's bouncer right through his 20-ball knock of 11 before eventually lobbing a simple catch to the keeper off his gloves.

Having profited from some shambolic South African catching early on, George Bailey continued to live a charmed life. He was once again dropped by Vernon Philander on 38, a tough overhead catch at long on. Eventually, the Australian vice-captain completed a well compiled fifty, his 14th in ODIs.

Australia reached 196/5 at the end of 40 overs, scoring 32 runs in the batting powerplay.

Having completed his half-century, George Bailey, broke free and slammed Ryan McLaren for two massive sixes in the 43rd over. He was eventually dismissed in the next over as he attempted to do the same to Steyn.

Faf du Plessis took a well judged tumbling catch to send back Bailey for 73.

Wade was the next man to go, cutting uppishly towards deep point, where substitute fielder, Rilee Rossouw, took a tumbling catch. Wade made a measured 35 as Australia reached 258/7 after 46 overs.

Australia made most of some sloppy South African fielding and bowling as they finished at an impressive 300/8 from their allotted 50 overs. The visitors conceded 29 extras and dropped four catches in a lacklustre effort on the field.

George Bailey top-scored with 70 while there was useful contributions from the entire lower order. Australia scored 104 runs from the last 10 overs as they finished with exactly 6 RPO.

Chasing a mammoth 301, South Africa lost both openers cheaply. Quinton de Kock fenced at an away going delivery and was caught at the wicket for 2 while Hashim Amla perished while attempting to be cute. He made room for a fine glide, and ended up nicking it through to the keeper. Mitchell Johnson, who was earlier named as the 'Cricketer of the Year' as well as 'Test Player of the Year', celebrated his awards with a fiery spell.

After the loss of two early wickets, Farhaan Behardien and Faf du Plessis, batted in a positive manner before the former was dismissed, pulling Coulter-Nile to deep mid-wicket for 20. South Africa lost their third wicket with 53 runs on the board.

South Africa's hopes now rested on Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers. The former took the attack to Shane Watson, depositing him over long leg for a maximum. But the bowler had the last laugh, forcing Faf to top-edge a short ball to fine leg. South Africa were left gasping for trouble at 76/4, needing another 225 runs.

After having had to change his original LBW call off Aaron Finch, Australian on-field umpire, Simon Fry, was forced to change his LBW call off AB de Villiers, after the batsman challenged his original decision. Replays suggested that the ball was sliding down leg. AB survived and so did South Africa.

AB de Villiers completed his 40th ODI fifty as South Africa mounted a serious assault on the target of 301. Having survived a LBW decision on 13, AB grew in confidence as his innings progressed. He took a special liking for Watson and Maxwell as the visitors kept the scoreboard ticking. At the end of 32 overs, South Africa had reached 173/4, with the partnership between AB de Villiers and David Miller worth 97 runs.

David Miller grew in confidence as the partnership progressed along at a rapid pace. The southpaw looked completely untroubled during the course of his knock - scoring runs on both sides of the wicket. He reached his 7th ODI fifty, his first since December, 2013.

On the other hand, AB completed 7000 ODI runs when he reached 61. He is the fastest batsman to reach this mark.

Just when South Africa seemed to be fighting back into the contest, Nathan Coulter-Nile, struck a double blow for Australia. First, he had Miller caught at mid-on for 65 and followed it up by having Ryan McLaren caught behind for a duck.

It was an excellent review by Australia to get rid of McLaren. he ducked awkwardly into a bouncer and the ball just flicked the gloves on the way to the keeper. Suddenly, South Africa had slumped to 202/6.

Josh Hazlewood chipped in with the wicket of Vernon Philander as South Africa lost their way during the batting powerplay. The batsman flashed at a short ball and got a thin nick through to the keeper. Australia successfully challenged the original NOT-OUT call to reduced the visitors to 207/7.

Any chance of a surprise South Africa win depended completely on AB de Villiers. The South African skipper looked in superb nick before succumbing to a run-out. He took off for a quick single after Steyn awkwardly defended a short ball towards cover point. Sent back, he couldn't beat the direct hit from substitute fielder, Steve Smith, and walked back despondently.

Morne Mokel and Imran Tahir frustrated the Aussies for while. The duo added 46 runs for the last wicket. The result was a foregone conclusion though. Glenn Maxwell picked up the last wicket to fall, dismissing Tahir for 22. South Africa were bundled out for 268, losing by 32 runs.

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Nathan Coulter-Nile was named as the Man of the Match for his 4 wickets. he credited his success to bowling alongside Mitchell Johnson. Playing in front of his home fans, Coulter-Nile admitted his team was sloppy at times but said he was confident his team could improve on that aspect.

AB de Villiers: 'We didn't get it right in all three departments. Our bowling was not consistent and we lost too many wickets at the wrong time. Very disappointing performance. We would like to fix those mistakes coming in on Sunday. We will try to play better cricket in the second game.'

George Bailey: 'Early wickets are important and we managed to get those. Very happy with the bowling and fielding. It was important to hang in there as we have hitters like Maxwell and Johnson coming in. We have some best fielders and they must be more involved in the game.'