Aussies suffer defeat in Twenty20 clash
Ricky Ponting was dismissed for one, giving Yusuf Abdulla his first international wicket
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Sunday, 29, Mar 2009 08:44
South Africa beat Australia by 17 runs in a Twenty20 match at Centurion Park.
The Proteas gained the psychological advantage ahead of the one-day series with a narrow win to clinch the Twenty20 series 2-0. After being put into bat, the hosts made 156-5 with Roelof van der Merwe top-scoring with 48.
In reply, the tourists were restricted to 139-8 in their 20 overs.
But it could have been different at one stage as South Africa recovered from being 24-2 after Herschelle Gibbs (20) and AB De Villiers (0) were dismissed.
JP Duminy and Robin Petersen put on a partnership of 47 before the latter fell for 34 when he was bowled by James Hopes.
Duminy fell for 23 off 28 balls before van der Merwe stole the show with four sixes and two boundaries before being dismissed by Shane Harwood.
Albie Morkel and Mark Boucher both smashed sixes late on to set the Aussies a competitive target.
Ricky Ponting's side made an explosive start in reply with Michael Clarke and David Warner putting on 37, before the latter was bowled by Morkel for 20.
Ponting fell soon after for one to leave his side on 38-2. Although they recovered, none of the batsmen were able to capitalise on good starts.
Clarke and David Hussey were both out for 27 while Cameron hit 23 before falling to Johan Botha, who finished with figures of 2-16.
Hopes hit a quickfire 15 while Brad Haddin finished unbeaten on 16 as the Aussies ran out of balls in pursuit of their target.
The first ODI in the five-match series is on Friday in Durban.