Dale Steyn finished with figures of 2-18 off seven overs

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

South Africa seamer Dale Steyn took two wickets during a highly economical spell to lead his side to a six-wicket win over Australia in the first ODI in Perth.

Electing to bowl first, South Africa got an early breakthrough as Australia opener Travis Head was caught behind off the bowling of Steyn for one run.

Steyn struck again two balls later as D’Arcy Short was caught by South Africa captain Faf du Plessis at second slip for a duck.

Australia captain Aaron Finch was the next to go as he was trapped lbw off the bowling of Lungi Ngidi for five runs.

Chris Lynn only scored 15 runs before he was caught behind off the bowling of Andile Phehlukwayo.

Phehlukwayo also removed Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis, while Pat Cummins was run out by David Miller for 12.

Alex Carey managed to make 33 before he was caught behind off the bowling of Imran Tahir, who also trapped Mitchell Starc lbw for 12.

Australia were bowled out for 152 when Nathan Coulter-Nile was dismissed by Ngidi for 34.

Phehlukwayo was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Steyn, Ngidi and Tahir snapped up two wickets apiece.

Chasing 153 to win, South Africa got off to an excellent start as Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks amassed a 94-run partnership before De Kock was caught by Josh Hazlewood at mid-off off the bowling of Coulter-Nile for 47.

Hendricks went on to score 44 before he was caught by Lynn at mid-on off the bowling of Stoinis.

Aiden Markram smashed a 32-ball 36 before he was clean bowled by Stoinis, who removed Heinrich Klaasen for two runs in his next over.

Despite Stoinis’ effort with the ball, South Africa reached their target with 124 balls to spare.

Stoinis was the most successful bowler with three wickets, while Coulter-Nile claimed one.

Steyn was named Man of the Match.