Aiden Markram joins Hashim Amla in unwanted list of South Africa batters after golden duck vs Australia

Aiden Markram could not have had a worse start to the second ODI between South Africa and Australia at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on September 27, 2026. The right-handed opener, brought into the side in place of Tony de Zorzi, was caught by Cooper Connolly off Josh Hazlewood’s very first delivery of the match without scoring a run, departing for a golden duck.

The dismissal placed Markram among a small and unwanted group of South African batters. He became only the fourth player from his country to be sent back to the pavilion on the first ball of an ODI encounter.

The full list makes for grim reading for South African fans. Herschelle Gibbs suffered this fate twice and so did Hashim Amla. Janneman Malan and Markram have suffered the fate once each.

South African batter to be dismissed on the first ball of an ODI match

How does Hazlewood’s opening-ball wicket affect his bowling record?

Hazlewood’s removal of Markram with the match’s very first delivery earned him a place in a select group of Australian bowlers. He became the eighth from his country to claim a wicket off ball one of an ODI, joining Jeff Thomson, Terry Alderman, Craig McDermott, Nathan Bracken, Brett Lee, Doug Bollinger and Mitchell Starc in that distinction.

Hazlewood was not finished with South Africa’s top order. He returned to dismiss Quinton de Kock as well, ending the wicketkeeper-batter’s innings on the sixth ball of the seventh over. De Kock, who had opened alongside Markram, was caught behind by Alex Carey after a brisk 15 runs from 13 balls that included two sixes.

Australian bowlers to take wicket on 1st ball of ODI match

What is the series context heading into the Johannesburg match?

The second ODI at The Wanderers Stadium carries significant weight for Australia. South Africa won the opening fixture in Durban by 67 runs, leaving the 2023 ODI World Cup winners needing a victory in Johannesburg to remain in contention for the series.

Also Read: Matthew Breetzke extends record-breaking ODI run with quickfire knock vs Australia in 2nd ODI

Matthew Breetzke was the standout performer in that first match, contributing 112 runs off 106 balls batting at number four. Keshav Maharaj complemented that effort with four wickets, giving South Africa a commanding all-round advantage. Australia will need to find answers in both departments if they are to level the series at The Wanderers.