Nice simple presentation, and good writing.
That total will be very tough to over haul, even though you did get close to that in the first ODI.
Good luck for the chase.
Phil Hughes ensured victory by hitting a magnificent 168
Australia have managed to chase down 332 runs for victory thanks mainly to Phil Hughes whose knock of 168 in just his second one day international has put his team in a very strong position in terms of the series that they now lead 2-0.
Phil Hughes took to the South African bowlers from the first ball and despite losing Shaun Marsh, Ricky Ponting & Michael Clarke early in the innings he managed to maintain a very healthy strike rate. It wasn?t until Michael Hussey joined him at the crease that they began to look like a serious threat to the Proteas total with Hughes making 100 from as many balls and Hussey reaching his 50 in an incredible 29 deliveries. The two put together a partnership worth over 100 runs until Hussey was caught at point off the bowling of Monde Zondeki leaving Hughes to continue the run chase even when more batsmen fell around him.
Eventually Albie Morkel clean bowled Hughes for 168 but the damage had been done which left Cameron White and Mitchell Johnson to pick up the remaining runs with 3 overs to spare. South Africa would have been very disappointed in their inability to keep the run rate down but just as Duminy did to the Australians at the start of the game Hughes had managed to take complete and utter control.
This leaves South Africa in a very bad position in terms of the series with just one more loss from the next three games able to knock them off the number one spot in the one day international rankings. Credit must be given to Australia for their incredible ability under pressure but one begs to ask when we are going to see the South Africa that was dominating the Australians on their own turf?
Australia have put themselves within one victory of becoming the best one day side in the world once again but with South Africa not wanting to lose the prestigious position it should be an intriguing battle. South Africa hasn?t been in form of late but if they produce the cricket they are capable of the Australian side will be lucky to come away with a victory. On the other hand the Australian side look nothing like the team they were in the previous one day series between the two sides and they definitely deserve to be in the position they are currently in.
Pitch Report
No assistance for the pace bowlers whatsoever on a pitch which will allow some slight turn. The sun is shining and predicted to for the rest of the day while the outfield is lightning fast which is sure to make fielding a key aspect to today?s game.
We will now go through the line ups named for today?s match up
South Africa
Graeme Smith
Hashim Amla
JP Duminy
AB de Villiers
Ashwell Prince
Jacques Kallis
Albie Morkel
Mark Boucher
Vernon Philander
Paul Harris
Dale Steyn
Two changes have been made for the upcoming one day international by the South Africans. Dale Steyn returns taking back his place from Monde Zondeki and Lonwabo Tsotsobe has been replaced by Paul Harris who will look to make use of the spin available on this track.
Australia
Phil Hughes
Shaun Marsh
Ricky Ponting
Michael Clarke
Michael Hussey
Shane Watson
Brad Haddin
Cameron White
Mitchell Johnson
Brett Lee
Nathan Bracken
No changes have been made to the team from the previous match. Australia will be very enthusiastic during the course of the game due to the stakes which are on offer if they are victorious.
The Toss
The Aussies have won the toss and chosen to bat in a decision which was expected from either side. Any score under 300 will be achievable and with the current form of the Australian side, fireworks should be expected early.
Australia Fail To Take Advantage As The Proteas Restrict Them To 265
Albie Morkel took the important wickets of Ponting & Marsh on his way to 3/59
Australia has posted a total of 265 on a pitch which 300 would be achievable to leave them in a very vulnerable position at the half way point of the match. A constant loss of wickets and players failing to capitalise on starts is what saw them put in this position but it wasn?t without good pressure building bowling from the Proteas.
The innings got underway with Phil Hughes being run out by AB de Villiers with some very slick fielding for just 13 which saw Ricky Ponting come to the crease. Ponting formed a partnership with Shaun Marsh and soon overtook the Western Australian?s score by hitting 50 in just 39 balls until he fell next ball LBW to Albie Morkel. Marsh then reached his 50 in 67 balls as Albie Morkel got his 2nd wicket with Michael Clarke caught in the deep for 9.
Shaun Marsh eventually fell for 82 with Albie Morkel trapping him LBW and as the overs started to run out it was clear that the Australian batsmen were not going fast enough to reach 300. They slowly lost wickets to Jacques Kallis and Paul Harris who cleaned up the tail leaving Australia on the brink of their first defeat in the series.
Marsh played a solid innings there.Ponting would be disappointed not to convert his 50 into a big one.The Aussie middle-order sort of collapsed there.50-50 chances for both the sides,I say.
Despite Loss Of Wickets, South Africa Earn The Victory
Jacques Kallis steered the run chase with a well timed 83*
Australia have suffered their first loss of the series going down to South Africa by 3 wickets. Jacques Kallis lead the chase and finished with a score of 83* as the Proteas showed just how strong their batting is capable of being.
Things started off well for the Australian side as Brett Lee picked up Hashim Amla caught behind for just 2 runs. Graeme Smith and JP Duminy both got off to solid starts but they lost their wickets to Nathan Bracken and Cameron White respectively. AB de Villiers came and went for 26 as another South African threw away a solid start until Ashwell Prince and Jacques Kallis begun to form a solid partnership.
Jacques Kallis starting moving along at more than run a ball with Ashwell Prince making it to 49 before being clean bowled by a Cameron White top spinner then Albie Morkel fell next for just 13 to White also as Kallis moved closer towards the target of 266. Kallis reached his 50 in just 48 balls continuing to bat well with the tail who are more than capable of holding the bat. Mark Boucher soon fell to Brett Lee caught in the covers but it was all too late as the Proteas reached the total with 3 overs to spare.
Australia is now 2-1 up in the series after the loss which has now seen plenty more interest after such a good performance from the Proteas. Jacques Kallis received man of the match honours with Albie Morkel falling a close second due to his bowling performance. The next match will certainly be watched very closely by the eyes of the cricketing world to determine who the best one day team in the world is.
Interesting this South Africa finally winning a match. This will really boost their confidence. Kallis played a good knock there hope Australia come back in the next match.
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
SA bowling should be strong enough to defend this one. Keep up the great works.
