Aussies in horror collapse as cricket world erupts over 'insane' scenes against South Africa

Stand-in Aussie skipper Mitch Marsh has lamented his side's poor batting after a demoralising loss to South Africa in their ODI series opener. A stunning century (112) from Matthew Breetzke and a stand-out display from all-rounder Marco Jansen (75 runs off 59 balls) propelled the Proteas to a 67-run win in Durban.

Jan also took one wicket to go with four catches, including an extraordinary grab to remove Matthew Renshaw that left the cricket world gobsmacked. The hosts set a competitive 298-run target after being sent in to bat, with paceman Nathan Ellis (3-57) the pick of Australia's bowlers. But a shocking batting collapse saw the Aussies fall well short of the target.

Marsh (60 off 36) and Travis Head (36 off 37) got Australia off to a lightning start, sharing in a 90-run opening stand in just 9.2 overs. Marsh's quick-fire half century featured three towering sixes before he was finally removed by Proteas spinner Kehav Maharaj (4-20).

Head was the next to go after being dismissed by Jansen, with Cooper Connolly (38) and Renshaw (44) both making valuable contributions. But the Aussie batters were unable to build any meaningful partnerships and lost their last nine wickets for just 101 runs to fall to an underwhelming defeat.

"I'm pretty disappointed, South Africa outplayed us. It was a good game of cricket, but we fell well short," Marsh said after the loss. "We had our opportunities, I am probably going to sound like a broken record speaking about having partnerships in our batting, but we weren't able to form many."

All-rounder Jack Edwards had a debut to forget after going 0-56 with the ball off his 10 overs and adding just five runs off 15 balls with the bat. Cameron Green also failed to make the most of his return from a shoulder injury after being dismissed for five trying to belt Maharaj over the ropes and getting caught in the deep.

Cricket world blown away by Marco Jansen's epic catch

Man-of-the-match Breetzke's blistering century and 107-run partnership with Jansen (off just 81 balls) laid the platform for South Africa's win. But it was Jansen's unbelievable catch in the deep to remove Renshaw that stole the headlines, with fans describing it as one of the best they've ever seen.

The in-form Renshaw looked to have found the mid-wicket boundary after a brilliant pull shot off Gerald Coetzee. But Jensen covered huge distance and launched himself in the air to take an outrageous one-handed diving catch to leave Australia reeling at 7-215, and extinguishing any hopes of a comeback.

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