Ponting century sets up Australia victory

Australia captain Ricky Ponting led his side to a 37-run victory with a polished century in the fourth one-day international against South Africa on Saturday.

After winning the toss, Ponting scored 129 off 126 balls, including 15 fours and a six, to guide his team to a towering total of 290 for six.

South Africa, without inspirational all-rounder Lance Klusener due to a hamstring injury, were then dismissed for 253 in 48.1 overs as Australia took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the seven-match series.

Ponting's innings was the highest score by an Australian against South Africa, surpassing Steve Waugh's unbeaten 120 at the 1999 World Cup.

Ponting needed 105 balls to reach his ninth one-day international century, passing three figures in the 41st over when he cut a ball from Jacques Kallis to the third man boundary.

Australia's most effective batting came from Ponting and Darren Lehmann, who shared a 119-run stand off 92 balls for the fourth wicket.

The visitors slipped to 87 for two in the 21st over before Ponting and Damien Martyn scored steadily to add 56 for the third wicket, a partnership that ended when Martyn tried to sweep left-arm spinner Nicky Boje and was bowled for 24.

The skipper and Lehmann batted with clinical efficiency for the next 15 overs, though, until Lehmann, attempting to hit a ball from fast bowler Shaun Pollock through the on side, was bowled around his legs for 39.

FULL TOSS

Ponting fell an over later, top-edging a leg-side full toss from Kallis to Pollock at mid-wicket.

Neil McKenzie's 67 and 56 from Jonty Rhodes held together South Africa's fragile batting. McKenzie faced 88 balls and hit four fours, sharing partnerships of 71 with Kallis, who scored 43, for the fourth wicket and 64 with Rhodes for the fifth.

South Africa's other major stand was 53 between Graeme Smith, who scored 41, and Kallis for the third wicket.

Rhodes scored his runs off 49 balls and hit four fours. His dismissal, caught by Ian Harvey at mid-on after skying a delivery from fast bowler Brett Lee, ended the match.

South Africa's death knell was sounded when they lost three wickets for five runs in the space of eight balls in the 41st and 42nd overs.

Lee, who completed figures of four for 63, yorked McKenzie and Mark Boucher with consecutive balls, before Pollock was caught behind off fast bowler Jason Gillespie for two.

Scoreboard

Mail Cricket Editor