18 January, 2009

Ricky Ponting Lightning failed to strike twice for South Africa on Sunday as Australia overcame another potential powerplay roadblock to scrape home by five runs in the second Commonwealth Bank one-day international at Bellerive Oval.

In an eerily similar situation to Friday night, the Proteas, chasing 250 to take a two-nil series lead, required 60 runs from their final six overs when they initiated their batting powerplay.

But Mark Boucher, with 37 not out, and Albie Morkel, the Proteas' hero from the MCG, nearly pulled off the impossible with an unbeaten whirlwind stand of 39 off only 19 balls.

With 41 required from the final three overs, they heisted 15 and nine off the next two, bowled by Ben Hilfenhaus and Nathan Bracken, leaving an unlikely 17 off the final over to pinch victory.

Seven runs were still needed from the final two balls after Boucher slogged Hilfenhaus over mid-wicket for six but the Tasmanian quick held his nerve on the final two balls.

After Australia reached 9-249 on the back of half-centuries from Ricky Ponting and man of the match Shaun Marsh, the Proteas were on track for another against-the-odds victory thanks to a 93-run stand between Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers.

But Hilfenhaus's the reintroduction into the attack in the 35th over changed the complexion of the match.

Tantalisingly close to having Kallis caught behind with his first ball, Hilfenhaus had his man four deliveries later.

A tidy throw from the deep two overs later by debutant Ryan Harris caught de Villiers, who made 44, short of his ground chasing a second, leaving the Proteas with two new batsmen in the middle.

Even though Jean-Paul Duminy, run out by a cool Brad Haddin, made 35 at better than a run a ball before departing in the 47th over, a Proteas win seemed near impossible until Boucher and Morkel opened their arms.

A 135-run stand off 145 balls between Marsh and Ponting, who both made half-centuries, formed the nucleus of Australia's innings but their departures within minutes of each other saw the run rate head south rather than north.

The home side could garner only 92 runs in its final 20 overs, a period when most sides aim to double their score.

Nor was it helped by a lean batting powerplay which saw 23 runs added for the loss of two wickets.

Ponting, who arrived after new kid on the block David Warner failed on his one-day international debut, mixed the streaky with sublime in an eventful 64.

Ponting was troubled early by Ntini, who unleashed two searing lifters which whistled past the captain's grille.

Unafraid to hit over the top, Ponting was abetted by dropped chances from Neil McKenzie when on 10, then by Ntini in the deep on 50.

Interspersed with his good fortune were some delightful strokes, the highlight of which was a flick off his pads off Kallis which split a narrow gap in the deep.

Marsh, though batting more cautiously, also had his share of worrying moments.

He recovered from a nasty blow to the groin, which left him on his haunches for several minutes, to post his second consecutive half-century and fifth from 10 matches.


Given a life on 51 by Johan Botha, Marsh made it to 78 before being deceived by Duminy, whose gentle off-spin along with the pace of Ntini and Steyn stifled Australia in the latter overs.

Michael Hussey, David Hussey and Haddin made small contributions but could not produce the fireworks to give Australia the impetus it needed at the death.