S. Africa beats Australia again, by 45 runs

By Vic Mills

MELBOURNE (JP): South Africa made it two wins out of three over Australia yesterday with a 45-run victory in the fourth one- day cricket international of the summer under the lights at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Having won the toss, South Africa got off to the worst possible start losing Gary Kirsten (0), caught at slip by Shane Warne, to the second ball of the match from Paul Reiffel.

The second wicket added a spirited 35 before Lance Klusener (17) pulled wildly at a short ball from Moody in the 10th over and was caught behind by Adam Gilchrist.

Two wasteful run outs followed as South Africa's batsmen pressed the self-destruct button. A sharp call from Cronje accounted for Gibbs (15) as Ian Harvey hit the stumps direct.

Three overs later Cronje (2) was the victim as a superb throw from Michael Bevan at deep mid wicket found him two meters short of safety and South Africa 45-4 in the 15th over.

Thereafter Jacques Kallis and Jonty Rhodes began the long overdue task of rebuilding the innings. The pair added 60 for the fifth wicket in 18 overs before Kallis (27) was deceived in the flight by Mark Waugh and stumped by Gilchrist.

The innings was on the slide again five overs later when Rhodes (42) became the third run out victim as Australia continued its tremendous fielding exhibition.

As the innings drew to a close, Mark Waugh claimed his second wicket when Shaun Pollock (18) was caught in the deep by Moody. There was still time, however, for yet another run out as Brian McMillan (13) failed to beat Harvey's throw.

The lush outfield and helpful wicket made life difficult for the South Africans, but their modest score of 170-8 was more the result of negligent running between the wickets.

In an impressive all-round display in the field, Moody 1-10, Reiffel 1-18 and Mark Waugh 3-39 were the pick of the Australian bowlers.

The Australian reply began in dramatic fashion with Michael DiVenuto (6), Steve Waugh (0) and Ricky Ponting (15) all falling to Klusener inside 10 overs to leave the home side 38-3.

New South Welshmen, Mark Waugh and Michael Bevan, steadied the innings, adding 41 for the fourth wicket, only for Bevan (19) to fall to a superb diving catch by Rhodes in the gully off McMillan.

Bad, but worse was to follow as Australia slumped to six for 97 in the 28th over as wily off-spinner Pat Symcox accounted for both Waugh (45) caught by Pollock at backward point and Moody (0) leg before in the space of three balls.

With bowlers and fielders responding to Cronje's pressure captaincy, further wickets fell; McMillan accounted for Harvey (1), Reiffel (1) was run out and Klusener returned to take the wickets of Shane Warne (5) and Andy Bichel (0).

The gallant Gilchrist (29) remained unbeaten, but Australia, 125 all out in just 40.1 overs, was badly beaten. Klusener took the bowling honors with 5-24 in 7.1 overs, ably supported by Symcox 2-18 and McMillan 2-29.

South Africa have now beaten Australia twice in a week, on each occasion defending relatively small totals. It now takes its passion and purpose to Hobart to do battle with New Zealand tomorrow, while Australia sits out the next week with plenty to think about.