AUSTRALIA has given star quick and hometown hero Megan Schutt a milestone game to remember after the hosts annihilated South Africa in the first ODI of the series. After South Africa was bowled out for only 105, Australia needed just 19 overs to reach the total.

The start to the South African innings really dictated the rest of the innings. They quickly went from 1/4 halfway through the third over to 3/9 just over five overs later. The tourists continued to struggle for much of the innings, with one 38-run partnership proving a rare ray of light.

Marizanne Kapp was the backbone of the innings, making a half century before she had to retire hurt after she was struck on the elbow.

Meanwhile for Australia, despite the dominant bowling performance the wicket taking duties were pretty evenly shared. However Alana King did top the tally with three wickets, while Kim Garth took two of them. Although she only picked up the one wicket, Schutt still had a stellar spell, finishing on 1/1 from her five overs, which included four maidens.

In reply, the Australians made an okay start to their chase, but then lost two quick wickets to be on the back foot a little. However, once Ellyse Perry and Beth Mooney teamed up, things got back on track for the Australians as they combined for a 64-run partnership that took about 10 overs that got the hosts over the line.

Mooney made almost exactly half of the runs for the innings, finishing on 52 not out after smashing nine fours. Earlier Alyssa Healy had shot four fours on her way to 19.

Meanwhile, Nadine de Klerk and Masabata Klaas were the only ones to pick up a wicket for South Africa.

The teams have a few days off now before they meet back up for the second ODI of the series on Wednesday.