30 January, 2009

Hashim Amla and Brad Haddin Half centuries from Michael Hussey and Brad Haddin weren't enough to save Australia in the fifth Commonwealth Bank Series match against South Africa, the Proteas storming to a 39-run victory at the WACA on Friday night.

In the final one-day international clash with South Africa this summer, Australia struggled to build momentum from the start of its run chase after the tourists overcame a slow start of their own to post an imposing 6-288.

Hashim Amla starred with the bat for the Proteas while left-armed paceman Lonwabo Tsotsobe enjoyed a dream one-day international debut, taking 4-50 as Australia was bowled out for 249 in the second last over.

The elegant Amla compiled a chanceless 97 before falling short of his century, caught behind by a diving Haddin off James Hopes in the 42nd over, with A.B de Villiers and J.P. Duminy ably supporting him, both batsmen scoring 60.

In reply, Australia slumped to 4-53 as Tsotsobe claimed the vital wickets of Shaun Marsh and Ricky Ponting. But a 69-run partnership between Michael Hussey and his brother David (30), batting for Australia for the first time together in their native Perth, wrested the momentum back towards the home side.

But the hosts lost wickets at regular intervals, the Australians struggling to maintain a consistent run-rate as David Hussey (30) dolled up a catch to Johan Botha at short cover just as the brothers appeared set to lead a revival.

Mike Hussey and Haddin then combined for 72 runs, but 'Mr. Cricket' became Tsotsobe's third victim, bowled for 78 in the 40th over attempting one slog too many after belting the youngster for 12 runs from three balls during Australia's batting powerplay.

As the required run rate mounted Haddin (63) defiantly scored his half-century from 39 balls, but it was too late to prevent Australia falling to a 4-1 series defeat to South Africa.

The Proteas did the job without meaningful contributions from Herschelle Gibbs (seven) or Neil McKenzie (10), who both fell cheaply earlier in the day.

But Amla and de Villiers soon set about laying the foundation for a big total, patiently building the score as they compiled a 118-run third-wicket partnership.

De Villiers slashed recklessly at Hopes (3-44) and was out for 60 but his replacement Duminy produced a sterling shift, firing off an unbeaten 60 from 42 deliveries as the Proteas took full advantage of their batting powerplay, scoring 53 runs from the five overs.

Indeed, the tourists had a field day during the last 10 overs. Restricted early on by some tight bowling and excellent fielding, particularly by Michael Clarke and David Warner in the inner circle, the Proteas broke the shackles in the final 10 overs, plundering 92 runs.

Mitchell Johnson (1-68) was the main offender, the frontline bowler smashed for 20 off his final over during the batting powerplay as Duminy treated him with contempt. Nathan Bracken (0-70) also endured a torrid return to the Australian side, his last six overs conceding 53 runs, although Ben Hilfenhaus (2-43) and Clarke (0-30) kept things tight.

In reply, Australian opener Marsh could only manage five runs in his home debut for Australia before losing his wicket in the second over to a sharp catch by Amla at mid-wicket.

Australian skipper Ponting (12) attempted to pull a shorter Tsotsobe delivery, lofting the ball up for an easy catch by wicketkeeper de Villiers in the eighth over while Clarke followed him back to the shed seven balls later after chopping Morne Morkel onto his stumps for a duck.

A composed Warner (22) looked set to take on South Africa's attack but fell victim to a fluke run out by another Proteas' debutant Wayne Parnell, who got the tip of his finger to a straight drive by Mike Hussey that crashed into the stumps with Warner well out of his ground.

The two Hussey's and Haddin gave Australia some fleeting hope but the tourists did enough to hold the hosts at bay, completing a memorable summer for the touring team.