Clinical South Africa leave Australia on the brink of whitewash

South Africa 168-4 (du Plessis 69) beat
Australia 167 (Wade 52) by six wickets
Fourth One-Day International, Port Elizabeth
Scorecard

A clinical bowling display from South Africa bowled Australia out for 167 runs following which a fifty from Faf du Plessis led the hosts to a clinical six-wicket win in the fourth One-Day International in Port Elizabeth, leaving Steven Smith’s men on the brink of a series whitewash.

Australia won the toss and opted to bat first. Kyle Abbott (4-40) struck twice in successive overs to remove both Aaron Finch (2) and David Warner (6) while George Bailey (1) fell in the fourth over.
From 12 for three, Australia were rescued with a brief 37-run stand between Smith (21) and Mitchell Marsh (50).

South Africa once again seized control as Tabraiz Shamsi (3-36) struck twice in the 15th over, removing Smith and Travis Head (0), leaving Australia at 49 for five.

Marsh joined hands with Matthew Wade (52) in a 62-run stand for the sixth wicket. However, Marsh fell soon after his fifty and this was followed by the quick wickets of John Hastings (4) and Adam Zampa (5).

Wade and Chris Tremain (23 not out) helped Australia go past the 150-run mark while the former completed a well-paced fifty. However, with more than 13 overs left in the game, Aaron Phangiso (2-17) saw the back of Wade and Scott Boland (0) in the 37th over, bringing a swift end to Australia’s innings, with the score reading 167 runs.

Tremain (2-48) gave Australia some respite in the defence of a low total with the quick strikes of Hashim Amla (4) and Quinton de Kock (18). At the break, South Africa were placed at 32 for two after seven overs.

Seven overs after the resumption, Zampa (1-32) dropped du Plessis (69) at cover point. The South African skipper joined hands with JP Duminy (25) and the duo added 56 runs for the third wicket, keeping the chase on the track.

The breakthrough came in the 20th over with Duminy chipping a catch to mid-off but Rilee Rossouw (33 not out) took over the reins and gave good support to du Plessis, who went on to complete his fifty from 70 balls.

A short while later, du Plessis successfully reviewed a caught behind decision in the 28th over and also survived another similar review from Australia in the 30th.

Du Plessis was eventually dismissed in the 31st over by Marsh (1-22) but Rossouw and Farhaan Behardien (12 not out) ensured that South Africa chased the total in 35.3 overs to secure a six-wicket win along with a 4-0 lead.

Abbott was the man of the match for his four wickets.

© Cricket World 2016