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MELBOURNE, Jan 13: Jonty Rhodes led South Africa to a four-wicket victory over Australia in a tense finish to their triangular series One-day International Sunday.
South Africa, chasing 199 to win before a crowd of 62,621 at Melbourne Cricket Ground, scored 199 for six from 48.3 overs.
That was despite some tight bowling from Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne (1-19). The home side had won the toss and batted, making 198 all out from 48.5 overs.
One-day specialist Rhodes, who top-scored with a patient 43 not out from 101 balls with no boundaries, shared a 65-run partnership with Neil McKenzie (34) for the fourth wicket after South Africa looked vulnerable at 71 for three in the 17th over.
With two overs remaining, South Africa were 193 for six, requiring a further six runs to win as Rhodes hit a two through mid-wicket then took four leg-byes after trying to evade a short ball from Brett Lee (2-42) which struck the batsman on the upper body.
Australia, missing Glenn McGrath through suspension, had trouble with their fifth bowler as Andrew Symonds went for 41 from seven overs and occasional spinner Michael Bevan conceded 10 runs from his two overs.
Earlier, Australia’s innings fell away from a comfortable 164 for four to 171 for eight as Jacques Kallis (3-30) built on the early success of captain Shaun Pollock (3-25).
Australia captain Steve Waugh made 62 and Ricky Ponting contributed 51 from 75 balls before he was run out at 106 for four.
The Proteas made an excellent start to their run chase, scoring 51 without loss in less than 10 overs before three wickets fell for 20 runs, all caught by Australia wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist, who later caught Lance Klusener for 18.
Gary Kirsten (22) hit a boundary through point in the 10th over but the left-hander was out next ball to the bowling of Andrew Bichel.
Jason Gillespie (2-28) removed Jacques Kallis (6) and Herschelle Gibbs (38) as the Proteas slumped to 71 for three, bringing Rhodes to the crease.
Australia’s Waugh and Damien Martyn (31) shared a fourth-wicket stand of 58. Andrew Symonds (0), Warne (4) and Lee (0) were out cheaply as Australia were suddenly fighting hard simply to bat out the 50 overs.
Ponting added 42 for the fourth wicket with Waugh before Ponting was run out.
Man-of-the-Match Pollock had struck a crucial blow to dismiss Adam Gilchrist, caught at third man on the first ball of the match.
The Proteas were thrashed 3-0 by Australia in the recent Test series in Australia.
Australia lost the opening match of the series to New Zealand by 23 runs Friday.
AUSTRALIA:
A.C. Gilchrist c Donald b Pollock 0
M.L. Hayden c Klusener b Pollock 10
R.T. Ponting run out 51
M.G. Bevan run out 10
S.R. Waugh b Kallis 62
D.R. Martyn c McKenzie b Kallis 31
A. Symonds c Gibbs b Kallis 0
S.K. Warne c Pollock b Klusener 4
B. Lee c Rhodes b Donald 0
A.J. Bichel lbw b Pollock 17
J.N. Gillespie not out 1
EXTRAS (LB-6, W-6) 12
TOTAL (all out, 48.5 overs) 198
FALL OF WKTS: 1-0, 2-39, 3-64, 4-106, 5-164, 6-164, 7-170, 8-171, 9-196.
BOWLING: Pollock 9-1-25-3; Donald 10-0-54-1 (4w); Kallis 9.5-1-30-3 (1w); Ntini 10-0-31-0 (1w); Klusener 7-0-33-1; Boje 3-0-19-0.
SOUTH AFRICA:
G. Kirsten c G’christ b Bichel 22
H.H. Gibbs c G’christ b Gillespie 38
J.H. Kallis c G’christ b Gillespie 6
N.D. McKenzie c Symonds b Warne 34
J.N. Rhodes not out 43
L. Klusener c Gilchrist b Lee 18
M.V. Boucher c Symonds b Lee 11
S.M. Pollock not out 5
EXTRAS (B-2, LB-12, W-4, NB-4) 22
TOTAL (for six wkts, 48.3 overs) 199
FALL OF WKTS: 1-51, 2-66, 3-71, 4-136, 5-169, 6-187.
DID NOT BAT: N. Boje, A.A. Donald, M. Ntini.
BOWLING: Lee 9.3-1-42-2 (2nb, 2w); Gillespie 10-3-28-2; Bichel 10-1-45-1 (1nb); Warne 10-1-19-1; Symonds 7-0-41-0 (1nb); Bevan 2-0-10-0 (1nb, 1w).
MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: Shaun Pollock.
NEXT MATCH: New Zealand v South Africa, Hobart, Tuesday.—Reuters
