Monday, January 26, 2009

South Africa Clinches Series Win Down Under

South Africa won the 4th ODI against Australia to win the 5 match ODI series 3-1 with one game to spare. After winning the toss, the Australian skipper Ricky Ponting had no hesitation to bat first on a batting paradise in Adelaide. But Australia didnt get off the best of starts with openers David Warner and Shaun Marsh back in the hut with just 17 runs on the board. Skipper Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey led the recovery with Ponting scoring 63 and Hussey contributing 28. Almost all of the Australian middle rder had their starts, but none of them were able to contribute a substantial score as the Aussies folded inside their 50 overs with just 222 on board.

South Africa's chase began on a rampant note with their openers Gibbs and Amla putting on an opening stand of 58. South Africa lost only two wickets before they reached their target with 11.5 overs to spare. A.B. de Villers scored an unbeaten 82 while Amla contributed an unbeaten 80. Earlier de Villers donned the big gloves for South Africa after their regular wicket keeper Mark Boucher was ruled out of the series with injury. A.B de Villers was awarded the man of the match. the 5th and final ODI will be played at Perth on Jan 30.

0 comments: