March 31, 2002	Sunday	Muharram 16, 1423

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BLOEMFONTEIN (South Africa), March 30: Australian captain Ricky Ponting hammered a century to lead Australia to a 37-run victory in the fourth One-day International against South Africa at Springbok Park Saturday.

Australia moved into an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the seven-match series.

Ponting made 129 off 126 balls as Australia piled up 290 for six after winning the toss. South Africa were all out for 253.

It was Ponting’s first century since becoming Australia’s one-day captain and his first against South Africa. He shared a fourth wicket stand of 119 off 92 balls with left-hander Darren Lehmann (39) as Australia set South Africa an almost impossible target.

Opening bowler Glenn McGrath, playing in his 150th One-day International, took two wickets in his first four overs to make South Africa’s task even more difficult.

There were useful contributions from newcomer Graeme Smith (41), Jacques Kallis (43), Neil McKenzie (67) and Jonty Rhodes (56) as South Africa stayed in with a theoretical chance of winning until the 40th over.

South Africa matched Australia’s 40-over total of 202 but whereas that stage marked the midpoint of the prolific Ponting-Lehmann stand, South Africa’s hopes were snuffed out when fast bowler Brett Lee bowled Neil McKenzie and Mark Boucher with successive balls at the start of the 41st over.

Ponting, whose first three innings since taking over the captaincy yielded 14, 0 and 3, was in superb touch and played strokes all around the ground as he hit a six and 15 fours in his ninth One-day International century.

Ponting went down the wicket several times to the faster bowlers and hit a six off Kallis when he skipped down the pitch and hit the bowler straight over his head. He also played some delicate glances and powerful pulls as he reached 50 off 63 balls and 100 off 104 deliveries.

Australia batted solidly to lay the foundation for Ponting and Lehmann, with Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden putting on 40 for the first wicket before Ponting shared partnerships of 47 for the second wicket with Gilchrist and 56 for the third wicket with Damien Martyn.

The left-handed Lehmann was the ideal partner for a rampant Ponting, feeding the strike to his captain with a series of inventive, often unorthodox strokes.

Australia were boosted by the return after injuries of McGrath and all-rounder Ian Harvey. They replaced Andy Bichel and Shane Watson in changes from the team that tied the third international in Potchefstroom Wednesday.

Ponting said Australia’s performance was their best of the series so far and said they wanted to continue to set a high standard.

“The boys have improved with every game. With Shane (Warne) and Michael (Bevan) hopefully coming into the next match we want to keep it going.”

Leg-spinner Warne missed the first four matches and batsman Bevan played only in the first match because of hamstring injuries.

South Africa were without hard-hitting all-rounder Lance Klusener, who had a hamstring injury. He was replaced by fast bowler Roger Telemachus.