PERTH // South Africa have displaced Australia at the top of the International Cricket Council's one-day rankings after securing a 39-run win against the world champions in Perth. The Proteas had already wrapped up the five-match series as they headed into the final game at the WACA Ground, and after also winning the Test series, ensured a memorable tour finished on a high. The tourists' win was set up with the bat as they posted 288 for six, largely thanks to Hashim Amla's 97 at the top of the order while JP Duminy chipped in with a 42-ball 60. Early wickets then undermined the hosts' run chase, with debutant Lonwabo Tsotsobe quickly removing Shaun Marsh and Ricky Ponting on his way to figures of four for 50. And while a patient 78 from Mike Hussey and some late hitting from Brad Haddin (63) gave Australia faint hope, the target proved too much as they were eventually bowled out for 249 from 48.5 overs. The Proteas compiled their total without meaningful contributions from Herschelle Gibbs (seven) or Neil McKenzie (10), who both fell cheaply earlier in the day. But Amla and AB de Villiers soon set about laying the foundation for a big total, patiently building the score as they compiled a 118-run third-wicket partnership. De Villiers slashed recklessly at Hopes (3-44) and was out for 60 but his replacement Duminy produced a sterling display of late hitting as the Proteas took full advantage of their batting powerplay, scoring 53 runs from the five overs. Amla compiled a chanceless 97 before falling just short of his century, caught behind by a diving Haddin off Hopes in the 42nd over. Amla's dismissal was, however, a rare bad moment for the hosts in the final 10 overs during which they plundered 92 runs. Mitchell Johnson (1-68) was the main offender, the frontline bowler smashed for 20 off his final over during the batting powerplay as Duminy treated him with contempt. Nathan Bracken (0-70) also endured a torrid return to the Australian side, his last six overs conceding 53 runs, although Ben Hilfenhaus (2-43) and Michael Clarke (0-30) kept things tight.
In reply, Australia slumped to 53 for four as Tsotsobe claimed the vital wickets of Marsh and Ponting. But a 69-run partnership between Mike Hussey and his brother David (30), batting for Australia for the first time together in their native Perth, wrested the momentum back towards the home side. But the hosts lost wickets at regular intervals, the Australians struggling to maintain a consistent run-rate as David Hussey (30) dolled up a catch to Johan Botha at short cover, off Duminy, just as the brothers appeared set to lead a revival. Mike Hussey and Haddin then combined for 72 runs, but the West Australian became Tsotsobe's third victim, bowled for 78 in the 40th over attempting one slog too many after belting the youngster for 12 runs from three balls during Australia's batting powerplay. As the required run rate mounted Haddin (63) defiantly scored his half-century from 39 balls, but it was too late to prevent Australia falling to a 4-1 series defeat to South Africa.
*PA Sport
