Aus edge SA in final ODI to go atop ICC rankings
24 Nov 2014 12:28 AM GMT
The Australians were cruising towards a rain-reduced victory target of 275 in Sydney but then lost four wickets for three runs to give the Proteas a late chance of victory. But Faulkner (six not out) got Australia over the line with a sweep for four off spinner Robin Peterson, who had bowled the Proteas into contention with four wickets.
Australia secured a 4-1 series win and nudged ahead of India to top the one-day rankings, less than three months before the start of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock was named man-of-the-match in a losing side for his 107 off 123 balls in South Africa’s innings after they had won the toss.
The Australians seemed in control of the run chase with Aaron Finch scoring 76 (67 balls), Shane Watson 82 (93 balls) and man of the series Steve Smith 67 (74 balls). But some reckless batting coupled with Peterson’s mesmerising spin brought South Africa back into contention after the loss of Glenn Maxwell, Smith, skipper George Bailey, Matt Wade and Pat Cummins.
BRIEFSCORES Australia 8 for 275 (Watson 82, Finch 76, Smith 67, Peterson 4-32) beat South Africa 6 for 280 (Quinton De Kock 107, Behardien 63, Rossouw 51, Cummins 3-54) by 2 wickets (D/L method).
Australia secured a 4-1 series win and nudged ahead of India to top the one-day rankings, less than three months before the start of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock was named man-of-the-match in a losing side for his 107 off 123 balls in South Africa’s innings after they had won the toss.
The Australians seemed in control of the run chase with Aaron Finch scoring 76 (67 balls), Shane Watson 82 (93 balls) and man of the series Steve Smith 67 (74 balls). But some reckless batting coupled with Peterson’s mesmerising spin brought South Africa back into contention after the loss of Glenn Maxwell, Smith, skipper George Bailey, Matt Wade and Pat Cummins.
BRIEFSCORES Australia 8 for 275 (Watson 82, Finch 76, Smith 67, Peterson 4-32) beat South Africa 6 for 280 (Quinton De Kock 107, Behardien 63, Rossouw 51, Cummins 3-54) by 2 wickets (D/L method).
Next Story
