Morne Morkel took a career-best 5-21 and captain A.B. de Villiers made 48 as South Africa beat Australia by three wickets in the second one-day cricket international on Sunday to level the five-match series at 1-1.
South Africa surpassed Australia’s total in 27.4 overs, though it struggled at times in the face of hostile bowling from Josh Hazlewood who was twice on a hat trick before finishing with 5-31.
After de Villiers, David Miller steered the Proteas home with an unbeaten 22.
Earlier Morkel led a resurgent bowling performance to bowl out Australia for 154 in the second ODI.
Only Mitchell Marsh, top scorer with 67, and George Bailey (25) offered any real resistance to Morkel and Steyn who made the most of the pace-friendly conditions after Australia had won the toss and opted to bat.
Morkel returned in the 35th over to capture the wickets of Matthew Wade (19) and Glenn Maxwell (0) within the space of three deliveries, further diminishing Australia’s likely total.
The dismissals of Warner and Wade were both referred by the Proteas to the television umpire and on both occasions the umpire’s not out decision was over-ruled.
Fans saw and heard the umpire request replays from specific angles or the help of hot spot and ‘snicko’ to aid his decision-making. The International Cricket Council (ICC) is trialing the broadcast of the television umpire’s deliberations to allow fans to better understand the decision—making process.
Warner was its first victim. Morkel beat the left-hander with the first two balls of the opening over, surprising him on both occasions with more pace and bounce than the WACA pitch produced in the first match only two days earlier.
South Africa added an extra batsman to its lineup on Sunday and got a lucky break when Farhaan Berhadien, forced into the role of fifth bowler, trapped Shane Watson (11) lbw.
Morkel then removed Steve Smith (10) to a miscued pull shot which was the downfall of several Australians, before ripping through the middle order to deny Marsh any late support.
Steyn wrapped up the innings be dismissing Nathan Coulte-Nile and Marsh to finish with 3-35.
