South Africa made light work of the steep target set by Australia in the first of the five ODI series against Australia at Centurion on Friday (September 30). Australia scored 294 thanks to George Bailey (74) and John Hastings (51) after newcomer Andile Phehlukwayo (4 for 44) dented the visitors early. The hosts responded in superb fashion with openers Quinton de Kock (178) and Rillee Rossouw (63) leading the way with a 145-run first-wicket stand to help their side to victory in just 36.2 overs and take a 1-0 lead.

Stats highlights from the riveting opening fixture of the series:

178 by Quinton de Kock is the second highest score for a South African batsman in ODIs after Gary Kirsten's 188* against UAE in Rawalpindi in the 1996 World Cup. However, it is the highest for South Africa while chasing, eclipsing Herschelle Gibbs's 175 against Australia in Johannesburg in 2006.

Highest individual scores for South Africa in ODIs

Higher individual scores in ODIs in South Africa than de Kock's 178. The previous highest was 175 by Gibbs.

1 Individual scores higher than the 178 by de Kock against Australia in ODIs. Rohit Sharma's double hundred in Bangalore in 2013 is still the highest against them in white-ball cricket.

3 Higher scores than de Kock's 178 while chasing in ODIs. However, all the three innings were played in the subcontinent.

Highest scores in ODI chases

65 Innings taken by de Kock to reach his 11th century. The only player who reached there in fewer innings than him is Hashim Amla (64 innings).

74 balls taken by de Kock to his hundred is the ninth fastest for South Africa in ODIs. Seven of those eight were scored by one player - AB de Villiers - with Mark Boucher scoring the other one. The previous fastest for South Africa against Australia was off 79 balls by Gibbs.

145-run opening-wicket stand is the second highest for first wicket for South Africa against Australia in ODIs after 160 by AB de Villiers and Graeme Smith in Basseterre in 2007 World Cup.

4 for 44 by Andile Phehlukwayo is the second-best figures for a South African bowler in his maiden ODI against Australia, after 4 for 42 by Dave Rundle in Brisbane in 1994.

51 by John Hastings is the joint second-highest score for a number eight batsman in ODIs in Centurion, after 80 by Tim Bresnan against Australia in 2009. Darren Sammy also scored 51 against the home team in 2008.

79-run stand between George Bailey and John Hastings is the second-highest seventh-wicket partnership for Australia against South Africa, after 123-run stand between Michael Hussey and Brett Lee in Brisbane in 2006.

82 Balls remaining while South Africa completed the win - the most ever in an ODI while chasing a 275-plus total. The previous best was 80 balls by India against Sri Lanka in Hobart in 2012.

295 is the third-highest target chased down successfully by South Africa in ODIs against Australia after 435 in Johannesburg in 2006 and 328 in Harare in 2014.

Winning with most balls remaining chasing 275-plus