South Africa thrash hapless Australia
REUTERS - Dale Steyn claimed two early wickets as South Africa’s pace attack combined superbly to heap more misery on Australia with a six-wicket thrashing to take a 1-0 lead in their three-match one-day international series in Perth yesterday.
Sent in to bat, Australia succumbed to 152 all out in 38.1 overs and the victory target never looked like troubling the visitors who romped home with 20 overs to spare following a breezy 47 from opener Quinton de Kock.
Steyn, who suffered a career-threatening shoulder injury on his last visit to Perth two years ago, showed there was plenty of life yet in his 35-year-old body with a miserly early spell.
The paceman (two for 18) found the outside edge of Travis Head and Darcy Short, while Lungi Ngidi (two for 26) reduced the hosts to eight for three when he trapped Aaron Finch lbw for just five - a decision the Australia Skipper should have reviewed. Australia tried to steady the ship but progress was slow and they were subjected to some sarcastic applause by the sparse crowd of 24,342 at the end of the 12th over when Chris Lynn struck the first boundary of the innings. Lynn’s vigil was short-lived as he was caught-behind soon afterwards for 15 off the bowling of medium-pacer Andile Phehlukwayo, who led the wicket-tally with three for 33.
The Proteas bowled with great discipline, ensuring that Australias inexperienced batting unit could never settle on a pitch which offered plenty of the pace and bounce that the nearby WACA traditionally offered.