5 Apr 2009

Australia win opening ODI

9:44 am on 5 April 2009

Australia has won the opening one day cricket match against South Africa in Durban by 141 runs.

The win puts the tourists en route to retaining their ranking as number one in the one day game.

The Australians are now two points ahead of South Africa and will keep the top spot if they win the series 3-2 or better.

Game two is at Centurion Sunday night.

Mike Hussey's unbeaten 83 helped Australia to a total of 286 for seven and the Proteas replied with 145 all out in 33.1 overs before a capacity crowd of 20,487 at Durban's Kingsmead ground.

Spinner Nathan Hauritz took career best figures of four for 29.

The Proteas are hopeful star all-rounder Jacques Kallis can recover from a groin injury for Sunday's game.