South Africa finally pull one back

A superb spell with the new ball from captain Shaun Pollock set South Africa on their way to their first victory of the series in the seventh and final one-day international at Newlands on Tuesday.

Chasing a total revised to 251 under the Duckworth/Lewis system in a rain-affected match, Australia were dismissed for 185 with Pollock claiming three for 28. Australia claimed the one-day series with 5-1, with one match tied.

Pollock struck early with the wickets of both Australian openers in successive deliveries at the end of his second over.

He first took Jimmy Maher who mistimed a pull to midwicket on eight and then the dangerous Adam Gilchrist (seven) who edged to Jacques Kallis at slip.

He then claimed his third wicket when Shane Watson, promoted up the order to number three, was trapped lbw for 16 leaving the Australians at 56 for three.

Only Michael Bevan provided any further resistance but when he was out with the score on 138 for 8, the game was as good as over. Bevan made 55 from 63 balls with six fours before he swept Nicky Boje straight to Pollock at short fine leg.

Boje profited the most from some profligate Australian batting and withstood a late assault from Brett Lee (28) to return figures of five for 21.

Earlier 21 year-old opener Graeme Smith was the centrepiece of South Africa's batting effort as the home side made 249 for seven from their revised allotment of 39 overs, Smith top-scoring with 73.

Play got off to a delayed start due to the persistent rain that fell for much of the day in Cape Town, and South Africa reached 24 without loss in the fifth over before rain again forced the players from the field.

After a 30-minute interval, Smith and Herschelle Gibbs returned to continue their opening stand, which had reached 63 when Gibbs was superbly run out by Andy Bichel, the Australian bowler collecting on his follow-through and turning to throw the stumps down with a direct hit.

Smith then took control, reaching his second one-day fifty in just his fourth match and then going on to punish Ian Harvey, the medium pacer conceding 35 runs from four overs.

He also saw Boje play the shot of the innings off his bowling, the left-hander lifting him effortlessly over extra cover for six.

Smith was dismissed by Bichel when he got an inside edge on to his stumps. He faced 79 balls and struck eight fours.

Boje was on 49 when he edged Watson to Gilchrist to give the Australian his first international wicket in his fourth match.

Once again Jonty Rhodes provided the acceleration at the death for South Africa, smashing two sixes as he finished with 39 from 24 balls.

Mail Cricket Editor