Perfect result but improvement needed

Australia could look to South Africa as they seek improvement for Sunday's second one-day international at Manuka Oval, says allrounder Ellyse Perry.

Perry's unbeaten 93 guided the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars to a thrilling two-wicket win with just one ball remaining in Canberra on Friday night, denying the No.6 ranked Proteas an historic maiden win over the world No.1.

Quick Single: Perry spearheads triumph

After South Africa produced their highest-ever ODI score of 5-226 against the Southern Stars and followed up with a superb bowling effort that saw the hosts go more than 10 overs without scoring a boundary, Perry said there is work to do.

"It was a great match, a really competitive game that was really challenging and that's what we expected from South Africa going into this series," player-of-the-match Perry said on Friday night.

"They played really well, after winning the toss they got the best out of the conditions early with the hard ball.

"We did a good job to peg them back with Kristen Beams again being our go-to with the ball, but it was tough getting the runs and we lost wickets at important stages."

South Africa secured a big breakthrough in the first over of Australia's chase with the wicket of Elyse Villani and after a big third over that leaked 14 runs, Proteas quicks Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka turned the screws on Australia.

Quick Single: Perry inspired by backyard hero

Fellow seamer Moseline Daniels joined the fun and the runs dried up, with Australia scoring just 48 runs off the next 20 overs. After Lanning's boundary in the seventh over, it took 68 balls for Australia to score their next boundary.

It's that performance that Perry hopes Australia can now emulate when the teams meet again on Sunday.

"I think in some ways, the way they bowled is a good blueprint on this wicket," she said.

"It's not going to get any quicker and they were bowling nice and tight, straight at the stumps which is something we didn't do well enough early.

"We gave them too much width to free their hands and that’s probably the key.

"(We also need) to try to be really positive with the bat from the start when things get difficult.

"Making sure we're getting up and down the crease, I know I struggled a bit with that when I first came in."

With Australia now holding a 1-0 lead in the five-match series, the locals will hold a training session at Manuka Oval on Saturday ahead of Sunday's second game.

Despite the scare, Perry could see the benefit in it for the locals, who have already set their sights on their 50-over World Cup defence in England next June.

"We'd spoken a lot about getting off to a good start in the series and we probably have a lot to work on from today, but the fact we won and won a tight match is great practice and experience for the side going forward,” she said.

"It's nice to start on a win but I think everyone will be honest and say we've got a lot to work on next match.

"These kind of matches are invaluable overall for everyone in terms of experience and knowing we can win those tight games going forward.

"For any side, they want to be in a position where they win the games that are really tight."