Eyes turn to Twenty20 prize

March 26, 2009

Match facts

March 27, 2009
Start time 18.00 (16.00 GMT)

Big Picture

After another action-packed Test series, the South Africans and Australians pull on their coloured clothes for the start of the limited-overs component of the heavyweight battle. The first of two Twenty20s starts in Johannesburg on Friday and is followed by the second in Centurion on Sunday.

The focus is starting to turn towards the Twenty20 World Cup in June and this is South Africa's last hit-out before the tournament. Australia have another engagement with Pakistan next month before heading towards England. In the two Twenty20s between the teams in Australia in January, the hosts won in Melbourne and Brisbane.


Form guide (last five Twenty20s, most recent first)

South Africa LLWLL
Australia WWWLW



Watch out for

AB de Villiers seemed to be warming up for the Twenty20 when he took Bryce McGain apart and launched Andrew McDonald for four sixes in a row during the third Test in Cape Town. The hitting was so strong it is rarely seen in the shortest form of the game, but it's what all the batsmen will be aiming for over the weekend. de Villiers enters the match fresh from his 163.

David Warner might have been in the international lights for only a couple of months, but he's not frightened by what awaits in Johannesburg. He has promised to take it to Dale Steyn and his mates, hoping for a reprise of the fireworks which led to his 89 from 43 balls in his maiden bat in Melbourne. Whether it's a skirmish or a lasting duel, the contest will be entertaining.


Team news

The hosts have a 15-man squad and plan to give everyone a game over the next three days, including unfamiliar faces such as Yusuf Abdulla, Johann Louw and Roelof van der Merwe. Johan Botha leads the side in the absence of the injured Graeme Smith, who is due to return for the opening of the five-game ODI series in Durban on Friday.

South Africa Johan Botha (capt), Yusuf Abdulla, Hashim Amla, Mark Boucher (wk), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Johann Louw, Albie Morkel, Justin Ontong, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Roelof van der Merwe, Vaughn van Jaarsveld.

David Warner and Shane Harwood have been flown in specifically for the Twenty20 games, so expect them to figure, and there should also be chances for the fast bowlers Ben Laughlin and Brett Geeves. Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus have headed home, leaving Mitchell Johnson and Nathan Bracken as the attack leaders.

Australia Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Nathan Bracken, Callum Ferguson, Brett Geeves, Brad Haddin (wk), Nathan Hauritz, James Hopes, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Ben Laughlin, Marcus North, Cameron White, David Warner, Shane Harwood.


Pitch and conditions

Rain was a bit of a problem during the opening Test of the series, but the forecast is for a clear night on Friday. In the past the pitch has hosted world record scores and produced good conditions for fast bowlers.


Stats and Trivia

South Africa have a 6-2 winning record in Twenty20 matches at the Wanderers
Mitchell Johnson, who scored his first Test century in Cape Town, has the highest batting strike-rate of the Australian squad with 200 (he's only batted three times) while Cameron White's 188.33 has come over 113 runs. JP Duminy is the best for South Africa with 146.87 in eight games
Morne Morkel is second on South Africa's wicket list with 13, two behind Shaun Pollock, while Nathan Bracken leads Australia with 18


Quotes

"It's about time we started looking ahead to the Twenty20 World Cup as well and started to try to pencil in what we think is going to be our best team for that.''
Ricky Ponting

"Our record has not been particularly good of late in this format and this is our last chance to identify players before the ICC World T20."
Mike Procter, South Africa's selection convenor

South Africa v Australia, 1st T20I, Johannesburg

March 27, 2009

South Africa 168 for 6 (Morkel 37, Boucher 36*, Hussey 2-21, Geeves 2-35) beat Australia 166 for 7 (Hussey 88*, Warner 38, Peterson 3-30, Parnell 2-29) by four wickets
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

A bludgeoning late innings fightback from Mark Boucher and Albie Morkel steered South Africa from the brink of oblivion to a stunning four-wicket victory over Australia in the first Twenty20 international in Johannesburg. The hosts appeared to be in dire straits after losing five early wickets, but Boucher and Morkel belted 36 runs from Australia's 16th and 17th overs - including 21 from James Hopes' final six deliveries - to turn the match on its head.

Ricky Ponting called upon the rookie duo Shane Harwood and Brett Geeves - with one match of Twenty20 international experience between them - to bowl out the final two overs, and neither could wrest back the momentum for the tourists. Harwood, hammered by Herschelle Gibbs in his first over, conceded 14 runs from the penultimate over of the innings, and Boucher closed out the match in emphatic fashion by smacking Geeves for consecutive boundaries to seal victory with four balls to spare.

The last time he played the Australians in a limited overs contest at 'The Bullring', Gibbs plundered 175 runs as South Africa reeled in a world-record 434 with eight-wickets down and two balls to spare. In the process, Gibbs effectively ended the international career of Mick Lewis, who conceded a record 0 for 113, and the South African batsman attempted to repeat the dose against Lewis' Victorian teammate, Harwood, on Friday by taking 17 from his first over.

Gibbs, though, could not replicate his heroics of three years ago, and fell to a mistimed drive from Geeves' first delivery in Twenty20 international cricket. South Africa's top-order soon followed him back to the pavilion and Australia, riding high on the back of David Hussey's brilliant all-round effort, seized the ascendancy.

But, as was the case at the Wanderers in 2006, Boucher loomed as a potent late-innings threat. After Morkel fell to Mitchell Johnson for 37 (from 19 deliveries), Boucher comfortably negotiated the final overs to finish with an unbeaten 36 from 22 deliveries and steer his side to a victorious 168 for 6.

The result did little justice to the brilliant solo-performance of Hussey. His sparkling 88 not out off 44 deliveries held together Australia's otherwise indifferent innings, and his dismissals of Hashim Amla and Vaughn van Jaarsveld undoubtedly brightened the day of his Australian and Kolkata paymasters.

Sent into bat by Johan Botha on a bouncy Johannesburg wicket, Australia's opening combination of Michael Clarke and David Warner were effectively muzzled by South Africa's new-ball pairing of Dale Steyn and Wayne Parnell. The pressure eventually told on Clarke, bowled attempting to lift the scoring rate by Parnell, and Ricky Ponting followed nine balls later also attempting to blast Australia into the match.

Warner went some way towards booking his ticket for the World Twenty20 with an innings of 38 off 29 balls, highlighted by a sequence in which he hammered Albie Morkel for a six and two boundaries in an over. But just when the Delhi-contracted opener appeared set to take control of the innings, he fell to a sharp return catch by Peterson and triggered a calamitous few minutes for the Australians.

Michael Hussey was run-out from the very next ball, and Brad Haddin caught in the deep three deliveries later. Neither batsman troubled the scorers, and left the Australian innings in strife at 71 for 5 after ten overs - a position from which they never fully recovered, despite the junior Hussey's late innings pyrotechnics.

South Africa chase more spoils

March 28, 2009

Match facts

March 29, 2009
Start time 18.00 (16.00 GMT)

Big Picture

South Africa's surge from the third Test continued with an opening victory in the Twenty20 in Johannesburg on Friday and Johan Botha seeks further momentum at Centurion on Sunday. The match, the first Twenty20 international at the stadium, is the last cobweb wiper before the one-day series starts on Friday and both sides want to enter it on a mini-high.

Whether it was ring-rust from the five-day break or a general failure to make the transition from the Tests, the Australians were largely underwhelming at the Wanderers. If not for the all-round efforts of David Hussey, the tourists might well have expected a hiding, rather than the tense four-wicket loss.

Australia's batting looked suspect, with Michael Clarke, Ricky Ponting and Brad Haddin unable to make a significant impact on the scoring rate and eventually gifting their wickets away. The decision to bowl Shane Harwood and Brett Geeves - with one Twenty20 international between them - in the final two overs appeared more curious with each boundary, as South Africa sealed victory with four balls to spare.

South Africa can look towards the Twenty20 World Cup with increasing confidence. Wayne Parnell formed a successful new-ball pairing with Dale Steyn, and the spin of Botha and Robin Peterson muzzled Australia's batsmen for extended periods. The hosts' top order stuttered in the run chase, but Albie Morkel and Mark Boucher - part of a deep South African batting line-up - ensured Australia's total always remained within reach. The teams have been so evenly matched in 2008-09 that it wouldn't get boring if they were allowed to battle for the rest of the year.


Form guide (last five Twenty20s, most recent first)

South Africa WLLWL
Australia LWWWL



Watch out for

Any time Albie Morkel walks into an Australian bowler's line of vision they must shudder. This year he has swept games and quick runs regularly from his green and gold opponents. Ponting has spoken about finding ways to shut him down, but it is as tough as it was to keep Lance Klusener, another heavy-hitting left-hander, quiet in the 1990s.

David Hussey is finishing his season in fine form after some difficulties on the international scene back in Australia. He ended the local campaign with Victoria with a century in their Sheffield Shield final victory and started his South Africa tour with a punishing 88 off 44 balls, including six sixes, and a Man-of-the-Match award. "I think I averaged about 15 before Friday night's innings," he told AAP, "so I really needed to do something."


Team news

South Africa carry a large squad and they started the series wanting to give all 15 players a game. The only certainties appear to be Botha and the wicketkeeper Boucher, but Morkel has become invaluable and will be keen to keep up his hot streak.

South Africa squad Johan Botha (capt), Yusuf Abdulla, Hashim Amla, Mark Boucher (wk), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Johann Louw, Albie Morkel, Justin Ontong, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Roelof van der Merwe, Vaughn van Jaarsveld.

Harwood was punished in the opening game but he will get another go before flying home with David Warner, the other Twenty20 specialist in the squad. Nathan Bracken will appear in his first match of the tour.

Australia squad Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Nathan Bracken, Callum Ferguson, Brett Geeves, Brad Haddin (wk), Nathan Hauritz, James Hopes, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Ben Laughlin, Marcus North, Cameron White, David Warner, Shane Harwood.


Pitch and conditions

A fine day is forecast for Sunday with some cloud patches in the evening. The previous international at the ground was South Africa's innings and 48-run win over Bangladesh in November, when the visitors were dismissed for 250 and 131.


Stats and Trivia

Morkel has 231 runs from 168 balls in his one Test, four ODIs and three Twenty20s against Australia over the past three months
Harwood's 0 for 48 from four overs equalled the second-worst figures by an Australian, a mark also held by Glenn McGrath. Jason Gillespie is on top with 0 for 49
Australia have lost only two Twenty20s in a row once, when they were beaten by India in 2007
South Africa can level their Twenty20 head-to-head with Australia at 3-3 if they win on Sunday


Quotes

"It's about giving a few other guys some exposure. We've got a bigger picture with the Twenty20 World Cup not that far away.''
Ricky Ponting

"If we can win [at Centurion], it will definitely give us momentum for the one-dayers."
Johan Botha

30 March, 2009

AB de Villiers and Robin Peterson Johan Botha led his team from the front to guide South Africa to a 17-run victory over Australia in the second Twenty20 international in Pretoria.

The Proteas captain took 2-16 runs and was given good support from debutants Yusuf Abdullah (1-16) and Roelof van der Merwe (1-30), while Johann Louw (2-36) also chipped in as the visitors were limited to 8-139.

Van der Merwe also made a useful contribution with the bat, slamming 48 from only 30 deliveries as the hosts posted 5-156.

In response, the tourists raced to 37 from only four and a half overs before they were pegged back by Albie Morkel, who managed to outfox David Warner walking down the wicket and yorked him for 20.

One run later, Abdullah sent a slanting delivery across Ricky Ponting, tempting him to drive, but he only managed to edge behind to Mark Boucher.

Botha brought himself on and, after going for only two in his first over, came back and bowled Michael Clarke going for a powerful sweep with the first ball of his second for 27, before hesitation between new man Callum Ferguson and David Hussey led to the former being run out.

Needing 92 from 54 balls, Hussey briefly threatened to emulate his 88 from 44 balls at the Wanderers on Friday before he was eventually out for 27.

The score was 101 at the time and only five more runs were added before the fall of the next wicket - Cameron White slogging a Botha delivery straight to JP Duminy on the boundary for 23.

Louw then came in to bowl the final over with Australia needing 27 to win and he struck with his second ball - James Hopes miscuing a slower ball to Morkel at mid-wicket for 18.

Nathan Bracken (nought) then top-edged his fifth ball, leaving Brad Haddin unbeaten on 16 and Australia 17 runs short of victory.

Earlier, Titans all-rounder Van der Merwe's innings proved the highlight in front of his home crowd at Supersport Park, thumping four sixes and two fours in his 30-ball innings to help the South Africans post a decent total after they were kept in check by the Australian bowlers.

Shane Harwood (2-21) and Hopes (1-26) were largely responsible for that after Ponting had earlier won the toss and decided to bowl.

Gibbs and Robin Peterson, who was promoted to open the batting, made a decent start, taking the score to 22 before the former was out for 20.


Seven balls later, another debutant in Ben Laughlin struck in his first over of international cricket when De Villiers went hard at a wide delivery but only managed to pick out White at short cover for a duck.

Peterson and Duminy began to build nicely thereafter with a 47-run partnership before Peterson gave himself too much room on the leg side and was bowled by Hopes for 34.

Duminy then walked across his stumps looking to paddle-sweep but completely missed the ball and was bowled by Harwood for 23.

Morkel (14 not out) and Boucher (nine not out) tried their best to up the tempo but were restricted by the Australians.

Returning Smith boosts South Africa

April 2, 2009

Match facts

April 3, 2009
Start time 2.30pm (12.30GMT)


Big Picture

It seems that every time these teams go head to head there's a No. 1 ranking up for grabs. Nothing has changed. South Africa took the top ODI spot thanks to their 4-1 victory in Australia in January but to retain their new status they need to stop Australia winning this five-game series. They will feel quietly confident with their star batsmen Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis set to return from injuries that kept them out of the two Twenty20 matches, which South Africa won in any case.

This series is the finale in what has been a fascinating summer between these two sides, who by the end will feel as if they know each other intimately after six Tests, 10 ODIs and four Twenty20 internationals in the past four months. The hosts have no more cricket on the agenda until the World Twenty20 in England in June, so this will be the last opportunity for a few players to put their names forward for that tournament. Australia will head straight from South Africa to the United Arab Emirates for a limited-overs series against Pakistan.


Form guide (last five ODIs, most recent first)

South Africa WWWLW
Australia NWWLL



Watch out for

Graeme Smith hasn't been part of the South African side for any of the Twenty20s or one-day internationals against Australia up until now. A broken left hand kept him out of the matches in Australia and an almost identical fracture in his right hand stopped him playing the third Test and two Twenty20s in South Africa. After his side conceded the Tests at home Smith will be desperate to finish the summer on a high.

Mitchell Johnson was responsible for both of the breaks to Smith's hands and he will be keen to take the new ball and have a few more cracks at the South African captain before leaving the country. Australia's star in the Test series, Johnson has much to offer with bat and ball in the shorter format as well.


Team news

Smith and Kallis, who has been out with a groin injury, should both be available to bolster the South African top order after missing the Twenty20s, while Morne Morkel and Makhaya Ntini have also been added. Yusuf Abdulla, Robin Peterson, Justin Ontong and Johann Louw were the Twenty20 squad members overlooked for the first two ODIs.

South Africa squad Graeme Smith (capt), Hashim Amla, Herschelle Gibbs, AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, JP Duminy, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Roelof van der Merwe, Mark Boucher (wk), Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Johan Botha, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini, Wayne Parnell.

For Australia, Shane Harwood and David Warner have both headed home after the Twenty20s while Marcus North and Ben Laughlin will be aiming to make their ODI debuts at some point through the series. It is strange that there was no place for Phillip Hughes in the limited-overs squad after his brilliant and aggressive arrival on the Test scene and instead Australia will likely rely on makeshift openers Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin.

Australia squad Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin (wk), Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Hussey, David Hussey, Callum Ferguson, Marcus North, James Hopes, Cameron White, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Brett Geeves, Nathan Bracken, Ben Laughlin.


Pitch and conditions

Kingsmead is famous for its pace and bounce and in the day-night conditions the so-called "green mamba" influence of the tides is said to help the bowlers. The forecast for Friday is warm and cloudy.


Stats and Trivia

Should Australia win the series they will regain the No. 1 ODI ranking from South Africa
Australia have beaten South Africa four times in ODIs in Durban; South Africa have triumphed over Australia twice


Quotes

"It's always good to get the opportunity to bowl with the new ball to an opening batsman such as Graeme Smith who is such a great player."
Mitchell Johnson

"Friday, for us, is huge. We want to go one-nil up, and hopefully take momentum from that. So, yes, nice to win the Pro20s, but it's a different beast."
Mickey Arthur

April 02, 2009

South Africa have decided to rest star all-rounder Jacques Kallis from the opening one-day international against Australia.

The 33-year-old pace bowler and No.4 batsman is likely to make his return from a groin-muscle injury in Sunday's second ODI match at Centurion.

"Jacques hasn't come through quite for Friday so he's going to be missing out," captain Graeme Smith said.

"Roelof (van der Merwe) is going to be missing out and Vaughan Van Jaarsveld and Wayne Parnell."

The selection leaves off-spinner Johan Botha to bat at No.8 followed by fast bowlers Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Makhaya Ntini.

Smith, who like Kallis missed South Africa's two Twenty20 International wins against Australia last week because of injury, has returned to the side after overcoming a fractured little finger.

"There's myself Herschelle (Gibbs) and Hashim (Amla) in the top three, Botha's at eight," Smith said.

"We bat deep enough. You always want your top order to take as much responsibility as possible.

"All three of us up front have had our success so it would be nice if we can really make it count here at Kingsmead.

"We're excited to go."

Australia have won the past three World Cups but Proteas coach Mickey Arthur can barely contain his excitement about how his squad is progressing in their push for a title campaign in 2011 on the sub-continent.

No.1-ranked South Africa host Australia for a five-match ODI series starting on Friday in Durban and Arthur says it's going to be ``huge''.

"We've prioritised what we want to get out of this series. So for us it's almost like the re-start of something," Arthur says.

"Friday for us is huge. You want to go one-nil up and hopefully you can then take momentum from the game on Friday."

Arthur said the Proteas would be using the series to experiment with combinations ahead of the 2011 World Cup.

"We are continually trying to have a look at what is going to be best for us," said Arthur, who mentored South Africa at the 2007 World Cup where they lost their semi-final to Australia.

"We've alluded to World Cups, there's a lot for them to play for.

"We've got a really good mix here.
"Time will tell, without wanting to get too excited.

"But I'm very happy and I think we're dead on track."

04 April, 2009

Nathan Hauritz Nathan Hauritz claimed four wickets to help Australia post a record 141-run victory over South Africa in the first one-day international in Durban on Saturday morning.

Chasing 287 for victory, the Proteas were all out for 145 in just 33.1 overs as they suffered their worst defeat against Australia in the 50-over game.

Hauritz claimed the key wicket of Graeme Smith for 52 and looked dangerous throughout as the home side was bundled out for the paltry total after the visitors compiled 7-286, which was built around Michael Hussey's unbeaten 83.

Brad Haddin (53) also notched a half-century for the Australians, who recovered from being 4-115 just after the 20th over to post the third-highest total ever in an ODI at Kingsmead.

Like Makhaya Ntini did for the home side, Nathan Bracken struck early for the visitors when he tempted Hashim Amla to play at a wide ball that was tickled behind to Haddin for seven.

It was a bonus wicket for Australia which only appealed half-heartedly, but Amla walked off to leave his side at 1-17.

His opening partner Smith then survived a massive appeal for leg before wicket off Mitchell Johnson (2-24) that looked plumb, before helping his side fight back in a half-century stand with Herschelle Gibbs.

The South Africa No.3 was out not long after though when he was caught superbly by a diving Michael Clarke at point off James Hopes (2-24) for 33.

In the next over, AB de Villiers (two) was sent on his way, trapped lbw by Johnson, albeit through a poor decision from umpire Asoka de Silva after the ball took the bat before hitting the pad.

Smith then reached his fifty in 51 balls when he tapped Hopes for a single, before a double strike from Hauritz (4-29) saw the hosts slump from 3-110 to 5-112.

First the off-break bowler outfoxed the South African skipper with a flighted delivery that was played straight back to the bowler.

Mark Boucher then tried to sweep Hauritz but top-edged to Haddin without troubling the scorers.

Hopes and Johnson then combined to remove JP Duminy for 25 with a short ball from the former pulled via a mis-hit straight to the latter at mid-on.

And Johnson then sent in one of the deliveries of the day to get rid of Johan Botha - the ball was banged in and kicked off the pitch leaving the batsman no option but to try and fend off as it grazed the gloves and lobbed straight to Hussey at gully for eight.

Hauritz then claimed the key wicket of the dangerous Albie Morkel, stumped by Haddin for 14, before Dale Steyn (one) became Ben Laughlin's first ODI victim when he played an early shot and was caught by Hussey at short cover.

Morne Morkel (two) was the last man out caught in the deep by Laughlin off Hauritz with Ntini left not out on two.

Earlier, Michael Hussey was the star after captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and chose to bat.

The scenario looked totally different at the start, after Ntini (1-67) put the tourists on the back foot when he sent in an angled delivery that Clarke tried to fend off and only succeeded in edging straight to Duminy at second slip for one.

Haddin and Ponting then dug in raising a half-century stand in just over 10 overs, before the skipper went for one shot too many and was done for by the Morkel brothers - Morne (2-61) the bowler this time and Albie taking a good catch paddling back from mid-on as the Australia No.3 failed to clear him and was on his way for 37.

Then came the first of two bizarre run-outs within the space of eight deliveries.

In the 21st over, Haddin dug out an Albie Morkel yorker towards de Villiers at backward point and took a step forward, inviting David Hussey to come charging down from the non-striker's end only to be easily run out for 18.

The Australian wicketkeeper then brought up his half-century from only 55 balls, before being himself run out.

This time new man Michael Hussey steered Botha down to Albie Morkel at third man for a single and was not interested in a second run, which did not faze his partner, who found himself way short to leave the visitors at 4-115.

Callum Ferguson then joined Hussey, putting on 50 in 71 balls, before Steyn (2-45) struck off the first delivery with the changed ball in the 35th over to end the partnership.


All-rounder Ferguson (25) was the one to go, slashing a wide delivery straight to Botha at third man.

Another half-century stand followed between Hussey and Hopes, with the former also raising his fifty from 61 balls as the tourists entered the last five overs taking their powerplay at 5-233.

But they were dealt two early blows, first losing Hopes (38), who was out caught by Steyn at short fine leg after walking across his stumps and trying to flick Morne Morkel over the fielder.

Johnson followed an over later when he swung at a widish Steyn delivery and feathered behind to Boucher for one.

But Hauritz (20 not out) offered Michael Hussey good support as they helped Australia set what proved to be a match-winning total.

Battle for No. 1 takes another twist

April 4, 2009


Match facts

April 5, 2009
Start time 10am (08.00GMT)


Big Picture

Australia are back on top of the world in both Tests and ODIs during their trip to South Africa, but the teams are so tightly matched that the one-day honour will return to the hosts if they win the five-match series. The visitors, who lost the two Twenty20s, switched on in the opening contest for a 141-run victory in Durban and they will walk out at Centurion seeking more success.


South Africa were out-played throughout game one and have some serious work to do on their batting to manage a swift turnaround. They lasted only 33.1 overs in making 145 as Nathan Hauritz, the occasionally-employed offspinner, did most of the damage. Australia were relieved at the strong showing from Michael Hussey, who was unbeaten on 83, and will chase a repeat performance from their bowlers.


Form guide (last five ODIs, most recent first)

South Africa LWWWL
Australia WNWWL



Watch out for

South Africa are desperate - and hopeful - Jacques Kallis will be back after a groin problem ruled him out of the opening encounter. The home side was caught short on Friday, with Mark Boucher at No. 6, and will benefit if Kallis' all-round skills are on show. "He does help a lot with your balance," Graeme Smith told AAP. "In Australia we played an extra batter and he allows you to do that. You can look for 20 overs between him and Albie Morkel and JP Duminy. To have him back obviously would be nice.''

It's not often Nathan Hauritz is on the warning list, but after his 4 for 29 on Friday he will come in for extra attention. The Durban ODI was his first match of the tour, but he hadn't spent the time topping up his suntan or chasing big game sightings. "All the early-morning training sessions that he has done and all the work that he has done with the bowling coaches on his bowling has paid dividends," Ricky Ponting said.


Team news

Expect some reshuffling if Kallis makes it back, with Boucher dropping a place and one of the bowlers missing out. Morne Morkel looks vulnerable unless Dale Steyn or Makhaya Ntini are due for a rest.

South Africa squad Graeme Smith (capt), Herschelle Gibbs, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, JP Duminy, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Mark Boucher (wk), Roelof van der Merwe, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Johan Botha, Dale Steyn, Wayne Parnell, Makhaya Ntini.

Australia will give thought to keeping an unchanged line-up after such a convincing display on Friday. However, they may consider bringing in Brett Geeves for Ben Laughlin, who gave up 28 runs in five overs on his ODI debut.

Australia squad Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin (wk), Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Hussey, David Hussey, Callum Ferguson, Marcus North, James Hopes, Cameron White, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Brett Geeves, Nathan Bracken, Ben Laughlin.


Stats and Trivia

Australia will keep the No. 1 ranking with a 3-2 victory while South Africa can take it back if they secure the series
If Australia win 4-1 the hosts will slip to third on the table behind India


Quotes

"It was nice just to get a good start and hopefully on Sunday I can make it count more."
Graeme Smith after returning from a broken hand with a half-century

"We've played well but we have to turn things around and make sure we do everything probably even better on Sunday, because you'd expect South Africa to bounce back. There's some room for improvement in our set-up as well."
Ricky Ponting

05 April, 2009

Wayne Parnell and Dale Steyn shared eight wickets to set South Africa on its way to a seven-wicket win over Australia in the second one-day international in Pretoria.

Chasing 132 for victory after the tourists had totalled 131 all out, Graeme Smith (40) led the South African charge as it eased to victory with more than 23 overs to spare.

It was all set up by career-best figures from Parnell (4-26) and Steyn (4-27), who had reduced the Australians to 5-19 before returning at the death to finish off Ricky Ponting's side in 40.2 overs.

It was Australia's third lowest total ever batting first in ODI cricket, having twice before scored 101.

Steyn began the carnage when he tempted Brad Haddin (one) to chase a wide ball in the first over that was played onto his stumps by the wicketkeeper.

After a maiden in his first over, Parnell sent in a seaming delivery to Ponting (eight), whose attempted drive took the outside edge and was snapped up by a diving Mark Boucher.

The paceman then fired an inswinger into the right-handed Michael Clarke, trapping him plumb leg before wicket for five, before a poor shot from David Hussey (one) led to his departure - the tourists' No.4 slashing at the ball outside off-stump and nicking behind to Boucher.

Parnell's late movement then saw Michael Hussey (three) caught on the crease lbw as the Australians slumped at 5-19 in just the eighth over.

James Hopes looked like he settled in quickly, striking two fours early in his innings, but he went for a shot too many attempting to cut Jacques Kallis (1-11) through point and edged to Johan Botha at first slip.

It could have been even worse for the visitors when new man Mitchell Johnson was dropped an over later by Albie Morkel - the all-rounder spurning a tough return chance diving forward.

Johnson recovered though and along with Callum Ferguson raised the half-century stand in 75 balls, before taking the score past 100 in 29th over.

But the partnership ended on 63 when Botha surprised Johnson with a turning delivery that trapped him lbw for 30.

Ferguson brought up his half-century in 82 balls, giving his side a rare moment to cheer, but then fell on the same score.

This time Steyn doing the trick with the South Australian trying to fend a bouncer that took a leading edge and AB de Villiers flew in from point to take a good diving catch inches off the ground.

Parnell then came back into the attack and claimed the wicket of Nathan Bracken (five), caught by JP Duminy running back from cover, before Nathan Hauritz was last man out when he edged Steyn straight to Boucher for 10.


The home side made a poor start to its response, losing Herschelle Gibbs (two), who was caught by Hauritz at cover while driving Johnson (2-47).

Smith and Kallis steadied the ship though, bringing up the half-century partnership in the 11th over, before their stand was ended at 69.

It was the captain who went, chipping a slower ball from Ben Laughlin straight to Clarke at mid-on.

Kallis followed five overs later for 31 when he got a faint nick off Johnson to Haddin, but Duminy (11) and De Villiers (36) helped South Africa square the series 1-1.

South Africa aim to break mirror image

April 9, 2009

Match facts

April 9, 2009
Start time 2.30pm (12.30GMT)


Big Picture

Two one-sided contests in the first two matches, one to Australia and one to South Africa, means it's impossible to predict what will happen from game to game. With each alternating result the No. 1 ODI ranking has switched hands and it's starting to look like a booby prize that neither side wants to hold on to. But the individual matches mean little in terms of the ranking - whichever team wins the series finishes on top.

The most notable feature of the results has been the way the series in South Africa has mirrored the contest in Australia. On both tours the visitors won the first two Tests before losing the third; on both tours the hosts triumphed in the two Twenty20 internationals; and on both tours the visiting team won the opening ODI and then lost the second. If the trend continues, Australia are destined to round out their trip with three more ODI wins just as Johan Botha's men did in Australia in January.


Form guide (last five ODIs, most recent first)

South Africa WLWWW
Australia LWNWW



Watch out for

The biggest surprise out of the Centurion match was how dangerous Wayne Parnell can be with the new ball. His early swing and accuracy was the key reason Australia's top order collapsed and he was named the Man of the Match in his second one-day international. As a left-armer he adds variety to an already dangerous South African attack and he has the potential to be a useful allrounder, although his batting is yet to be seen at international level.

Another fresh face in this series is Callum Ferguson, who is only six matches into his ODI career but already is building a reputation as Australia's middle-order stabiliser. He was the only one of the specialist batsmen to shine in Centurion, where his 50 saved Australia from an even more embarrassing result, and he performed a similar steadying role against New Zealand at the Gabba. The mature, level-headed approach is a positive sign as Australia go through some enforced restructuring of their batting line-up.


Team news

Given his powerful record in Cape Town, Makhaya Ntini will come into the calculations for South Africa but it's hard to see where he can fit into a side whose attack was so dominant in the previous game. The South Africans also sprung a surprise in Centurion by dropping Hashim Amla despite his recent strong one-day form. But again, it's difficult to justify changes to a team that has just won a match with nearly half its overs remaining.

South Africa squad Graeme Smith (capt), Herschelle Gibbs, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, JP Duminy, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Mark Boucher (wk), Roelof van der Merwe, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Johan Botha, Dale Steyn, Wayne Parnell, Makhaya Ntini.

Australia were considering changes to the side that went down by seven wickets in Centurion, although they were waiting until seeing the Newlands pitch on the morning of the game before making a decision. The bowlers didn't disgrace themselves in the second match - they barely had a chance to - so Brett Geeves could struggle to force his way in. But after such a dismal batting display Marcus North and Cameron White will be mentioned as potential middle-order replacements.

Australia squad Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin (wk), Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Hussey, David Hussey, Callum Ferguson, Marcus North, James Hopes, Cameron White, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Brett Geeves, Nathan Bracken, Ben Laughlin.


Stats and Trivia

On Australia's last tour of South Africa in 2005-06 they were routed for 93 in the ODI at Newlands, where Makhaya Ntini took 6 for 22
Ricky Ponting didn't play that match and only three of Australia's current touring party took part: Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey and Nathan Bracken
Ntini, who may or may not play, has featured in 10 ODIs at Newlands and has a remarkable record of 27 wickets at 10.14 at the venue


Quotes

"It's been a hard three or four months against Australia and it's been really competitive. Hopefully, starting tomorrow, we can turn things around and change the hoodoo."
Graeme Smith wants the mirror image of results from the Australian series to end

"There are not many of us who have that memory. I won't mention that game around the squad before tomorrow."
Ricky Ponting on the last time Australia played an ODI in Cape Town, when they lost by 196 runs