March 23, 2002	Saturday	Muharram 8, 1423

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JOHANNESBURG, March 22: Australia survived a brutal onslaught with the bat from South Africa’s Lance Klusener to claim victory by 19 runs in the first one-day international at the Wanderers Friday.

In reply to Australia’s 223 for eight, South Africa were bowled out for 204 in 44.4 overs but all-rounder Klusener threatened to turn the game on its head with a violent 83 from just 77 balls.

He came to the crease with the home side reeling at 66 for six and came close to pulling off a remarkable win for South Africa as he clubbed eight fours and two sixes before being caught by Andy Bichel off the pace of Glenn McGrath.

Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie had laid the foundation for victory by claiming the first three wickets — Herschelle Gibbs (0), Gary Kirsten (2) and Jacques Kallis (8).

Jonty Rhodes survived a chance on nine when he was dropped at first slip by Damien Martyn but he was unable to take advantage and was caught behind by Gilchrist off medium pace of Ian Harvey for 13.

Harvey also picked up the wickets of Mark Boucher (3) and captain Shaun Pollock (0) to reduce South Africa to 66 for six in the 19th over.

Boeta Dippenaar steadied the innings with a 65-ball 51 before he was caught behind by Gilchrist off the spin bowling of Nathan Hauritz in the 24th over.

Klusener and Nicky Boje then put on 70 in just 15 overs for the eighth wicket before Boje was run out by substitute Brett Lee, on for Michael Bevan who left the field with a hamstring injury.

Klusener, however, continued to dominate the Australia attack, racing to his fifty off 56 balls with four fours and one six to spark regular cheers from the South Africa changing room.

He was the final batsman to be dismissed, caught at long off by Bichel in the 45th over as South Africa fell to another defeat at the Wanderers.

The last time the two teams met at the ground was in the first Test one month ago, when the South Africans crashed to their heaviest innings defeat in a test by an innings and 360 runs.

Earlier on Friday, Australia opener Adam Gilchrist made a positive start, continuing where he left off in the recent Test series between the two sides with some brisk scoring.

Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden reached their 50-partnership off the second ball of the 12th over before Makhaya Ntini made the breakthrough for South Africa with the next ball.

Ntini bowled superbly, beginning with two maiden overs and then a wicket in his third over before finishing with three for 24.

Ntini had Gilchrist caught at mid on by Nicky Boje for 37, scored off 44 balls and featuring seven fours.

Hayden was the next to fall in the 17th over for 27 after Rhodes took a spectacular diving catch at square leg off the bowling of Kallis.

Australia dipped to 86 for three, with Ntini striking again with the wicket of Ricky Ponting, who attempted to hook a delivery and was caught at deep square leg by Boje for 14.

Damien Martyn (24) and Darren Lehmann (37) steadied the innings with a fourth wicket partnership of 63 runs.

But their stand ended at 149 when Lehmann was caught behind by Boucher off Roger Telemachus and nobody could dominate after that.