Australia deny South Africa an easy passage to the final

Brett Lee, Michael Hussey and Andrew Symonds starred as Australia smashed the South Africans by 80 runs at Telstra Dome in game 10 of the VB series.

Electing to bat first, the home team amassed 7-281 and later went on to destroy the visitors through a clinical display in the field.

Brett Lee (4 for 30) who is leading the wicket tally with 14 in the series had the top order in trouble again with his express pace and swing. Graeme Smith’s horror run this summer continued when he was adjudged leg before to Lee in the very first over (1 for 0). Stuart Clarke had their inform batsman Boeta Dippenaar back in the pavilion soon after (2 for 13).

Two more wickets put them in further trouble when Rudolf was run out by Hopes and Gibbs who has made a habit of throwing away good starts was bowled by Hopes for 33.

At 4 for 69 Johan Botha and Ashwell Prince came together and added a subdued 47 before Prince was run out by Brett Dorey. Ponting brought back Lee and the run chase was history. Lee struck thrice in six balls dismissing Botha (46), Kemp (20) and Boucher (0) to end any hopes of the Proteas getting to their target.

Finding it extremely difficult to score off Pollock (none for 20 off 10), Gilchrist and Katich scored most of their runs of his bowling partner Langeveldt (none for 50 off 6). The openers added 45 for the first wicket before Gilchrist (33) was bowled trying to pull Andrew Hall.

Katich (25) who has several players waiting in line to take his position, started to cut loose but fell to van der Wath of a good catch at long on by Pollock.

Ricky Ponting (54) and Damien Martyn (34) kept the score board ticking with a 74-run stand but three wickets in quick succession put them in a spot of bother at 5 for 167 in 37 overs.

Unfortunately for the South Africans, this middle order collapse brought two of the most sought after batsman together. Michael Hussey (62 off 44) and Andrew Symonds (65 off 60) tore the bowling to pieces, particularly in the last four overs which netted 19, 17, 11 and 13 and included 11 fours and a six to post an unbelievable 7-281.

The loss leaves South Africa just three points ahead of third placed Sri Lanka. South Africa will have one last crack at the Australians on Sunday but the form guide suggests a do or die clash with Sri Lanka at Hobart on Tuesday is inevitable.

Full scorecard available here.

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