Proteas thump Aussies to seal series victory
Hashim Amla shared a 144-run partnership with AB de Villiers
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Monday, 26, Jan 2009 11:26
South Africa have beaten Australia by eight wickets with almost 12 overs to spare in Adelaide to secure an unassailable 3-1 lead in the one-day international series.
Opener Hashim Amla and number four AB de Villiers were the heroes for the tourists, each hitting sumptuous half-centuries as they eased the score past the target of 222 set by Australia in their innings.
Earlier, the Proteas' bowling attack had done the damage - taking regular wickets to restrict their hosts' scoring rate.
Dale Steyn and Mkhaya Ntini lead the line perfectly with three wickets apiece, while captain Johan Botha claimed two victims in his tight ten-over spell when he conceded just 28 runs.
Captain Ricky Ponting, who seems certain to face some questions over the form of his side after losses in both the Test and one-day series' at home, top-scored for his side with 63 off 70 balls before being caught off Ntini.
Only opener numbers three and four Mike (28) and Damien Hussey (24), Cameron White (30) and James Hopes (42) managed anything close to a meaningful score after both openers were out with the score on 17-2.
And with runs at a premium, the middle-order struggled to impose themselves in the face of a determined South African attack.
Only Herschelle Gibbs (38 off 29 balls) and Jacques Kallis (13 off 12) lost their wickets in the tourists quick-fire reply, as Amla and De Villiers guided their side from 79-2 to the winning post with an unbeaten 144-run partnership.
The result means Friday's fifth match of the series in Perth becomes a dead rubber.