ADELAIDE, Jan 10: Opener Jimmy Maher made 94 as Australia ‘A’ beat South Africa by five wickets with five balls to spare in their limited overs warm-up match at Adelaide Oval Thursday.

Left-handed Maher anchored Australia A’s run chase of 219 for five from 49.1 overs after South Africa had scored 215-9 in their 50 overs.

Maher shared partnerships of 55 with Simon Katich (18) for the second wicket and 72 for the third wicket with Australia ‘A’ captain Darren Lehmann (41).

Mike Hussey (25 not out) and wicket-keeper Ryan Campbell, who made an unbeaten 20 off 16 balls that included a six off Jacques Kallis (2-45) in the 48th over provided some late heroics at the end of the match.

Earlier, South Africa, who won the toss and batted, began dismally with Gary Kirsten caught behind for four while Kallis was run out five balls later for one to leave the visitors at 16-2 in the fourth over.

Neil McKenzie (4) and opener Herschelle Gibbs (22) were also out before South Africa reached 50 and the dismissal of wicket-keeper Mark Boucher (14) saw South Africa slump to 79 for five.

But Jonty Rhodes, who didn’t play in the recent Test series in Australia, and captain Shaun Pollock then began rebuilding the South African innings with a sixth-wicket partnership of 94.

However part-time bowler Lehmann claimed the wicket of Rhodes, caught at deep mid-wicket by Stuart Clark in the 43rd over for 69 before occasional left-arm spinner Katich took three for 21 from four overs.

Katich removed Pollock caught and bowled for 56 and big-hitting left-hander Lance Klusener lbw for 13 within three balls in the 48th over.

Australia ‘A’ beat New Zealand by 60 runs in a warm-up limited overs match in Brisbane Tuesday.