Australian captain Michael Clarke suffered a worrying recurrence of a hamstring injury as his side beat South Africa by 32 runs in the opening one-day international at Perth's WACA Ground on Friday. After being sent in to bat in the opening encounter of the five-match series, the home team posted 300 for eight from their 50 overs.
In reply, South Africa threatened a record run chase at the venue when their skipper, AB de Villiers (80) and David Miller (65) put on 126 for the fifth wicket, but ultimately fell 32 runs short and were dismissed for 268. Despite the efforts of de Villers and Miller, the South Africans were always on the back foot after losing early wickets, with paceman Mitchell Johnson (2-38) celebrating his announcement as the ICC Cricketer of the Year by claiming both Proteas openers, Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla, in quick succession.
Recalled wicketkeeper Matthew Wade claimed five catches in the South African innings, while man-of-the-match Nathan Coulter-Nile claimed 4-48. The 33-year-old Clarke reinjured his troublesome left hamstring as he made just 11 from 20 balls in the Australian innings and was immediately ruled out of taking any further part in the match.
Clarke has battled a degenerative back condition in recent years and hamstring troubles have plagued him, including missing matches on Australia's past two overseas tours, to Zimbabwe and the United Arab Emirates. The injury will be assessed on Saturday and Clarke conceded it was a major concern for his playing future. "I've got my fingers crossed that it's not that bad but the fact is that I have had this injury three times in the last six weeks," he said.
"I've had a long stint of rehab trying to get it strong and unfortunately it's come back again, so that is not positive. "But I know I've got experts looking at it, I'm in good hands, and I will just have to listen to them. "I think we're in for a great summer. I just hope I can be a part of it." Clarke is unlikely to play in the remainder of the one-day series, and the first Test against India is just three weeks away. The World Cup, which is being co-hosted by Australia, starts in February.
Johnson said vice-captain George Bailey would fill the void capably during Clarke's absence. The home side made the most of some good fortune with the bat, the Proteas dropping several catches, including grassing four chances to remove Bailey, who top-scored with 70 from 75 balls as Australia rode their luck to recover from 144-5.
The Australian vice-captain should never have reached double figures. Hit on the back by the first ball he faced from Dale Steyn, Bailey was dropped twice in successive deliveries he faced when he was on just two, as South Africa stuck back with a vengeance following an opening stand of 94 by David Warner (46) and Aaron Finch (35).
Scoreboard
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Australia
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D. Warner c McLaren b Philander 46
A. Finch c de Kock b Philander 35
S. Watson c Morkel b Tahir 13
M. Clarke c de Kock b Steyn 11
G. Bailey c du Plessis b Steyn 70
M. Marsh b Philander 10
M. Wade c Rossouw (sub) b Philander 35
G. Maxwell c du Plessis b Morkel 29
M. Johnson not out 13
N. Coulter-Nile not out 9
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Extras: (b1, lb14, w13, nb1) 29
Total: (8 wkts; 50 overs) 300
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Fall of wickets: 1-94 (Warner), 2-94 (Finch), 3-112 (Clarke), 4-130 (Watson), 5-144 (Marsh), 6-236 (Bailey), 7-256 (Wade), 8-276 (Maxwell).
Bowling: D. Steyn 10-0-62-2 (2w), V. Philander 10-0-45-4 (1nb, 3w), M. Morkel 10-1-56-1 (2w), R McLaren 9-0-63-0 (6w), I. Tahir 10-0-54-1, F. Behardien 1-0-5-0.
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South Africa
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H. Amla c Wade b Johnson 8
Q. de Kock c Wade b Johnson 2
F. du Plessis c Marsh b Watson 31
H. Behardien c Finch b Coulter-Nile 20
A.B. de Villiers run out 80
D. Miller c Marsh b Coulter-Nile 65
R. McLaren c Wade b Coulter-Nile 0
V. Philander c Wade b Hazlewood 1
D. Steyn c Wade b Coulter-Nile 6
M. Morkel not out 22
I. Tahir c Warner b Maxwell 22
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Extras: (b1, lb1, 9w) 11
Total: (all out; 48.1 overs) 268
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Fall of wickets: 1-6 (de Kock), 2-18 (Amla), 3-53 (Behardien), 4-76 (du Plessis), 5-202 (Miller), 6-202 (McLaren), 7-207 (Philander), 8-215 (de Villiers), 9-222 (Steyn), 10-268 (Tahir).
Bowling: M. Johnson 10-1-38-2 (5w), J. Hazlewood 10-0-50-1 (2w), N. Coulter-Nile 10-0-48-4, M. Marsh 7-0-50-0 (1w), S. Watson 6-0-48-1 (1w), G. Maxwell 5.1-0-32-1.
Result: Australia won by 32 runs
Man of the match: Nathan Coulter-Nile
Australia leads series 1-0
Toss: South Africa
Umpires: Simon Fry (AUS) and Nigel Llong (ENG)
TV umpire: Brent Bowden (AUS)
Match referee: Javagal Srinath (IND).
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