Australia showed the stuff of champions and South Africa’s suspect temperament was again exposed as it crashed to a 36-run defeat in the fourth match of the Tri-Nation One-Day International series at Warner Park in St. Kitts on Saturday.
After David Warner’s first ODI hundred away from home anchored the World Cup holder to a challenging total of 288 for six the Proteas relied on composed half-centuries from Faf du Plessis and Hashim Amla to establish the launchpad from which they looked destined to reach the target comfortably.
However the dismissal of captain A.B. de Villiers for 39 at 210 for four in the 38th over changed the complexion of the match as South Africa lost its last seven wickets for 42 runs to be dismissed for 252 in the 48th over when Imran Tahir was run out.
Australia has now opened up a four-point lead over the South Africans at the top of the standings ahead of Monday’s fixture at Warner Park where the West Indies, a point behind the South Africans, will seek to get its campaign to reach the June 26 final back on track.
Poised for a total well in excess of 300 when Warner and Usman Khawaja (59) were in full flow during a 136-run second-wicket stand, Australia’s loss of momentum over the final 15 overs was put in perspective by South Africa’s composed chase until it lost wickets and nerve.
Good low catch Amla’s typically serene 60 set his team on its way. He lost Quinton de Kock to Hazlewood after an opening stand of 35 but was then entrenched in a 105-run stand with du Plessis. By the time the fast-medium bowler returned to remove Amla via a good low catch by Steve Smith at short extra-cover, South Africa needed only to maintain progress.
However Starc drew du Plessis into chasing a wide delivery for George Bailey’s catch at backward-point to send him back to the pavilion for a topscore of 63.
De Villiers looked to be in complete control until he was bowled heaving at Hazlewood, and when Adam Zampa earned a leg before verdict against Farhaan Behardien, South Africa, at 221 for five in the 41st over, was toppling. Starc ripped out three wickets and Zampa joined in the rout before Tahir’s demise sealed the result.
