South Africa make it double agony for Australia

South Africa, inspired by a cool-headed Jonty Rhodes, held steady at the critical stages to inflict a thrilling four-wicket defeat on Australia on Sunday in the first clash of the countries in the tri-nations one-day series.

South Africa's delight, after their 0-3 whitewash by Australia in the recent Test series, was the home country's agony - their second shattering loss in two games in the contest.

New Zealand shocked Australia with a stunning win in the opening match of the series on Saturday.

For the second time in as many matches, the home team suffered a major collapse, losing their last six wickets for 34 runs to be all out for 198 to set the visitors a modest target of 199.

After multiple anxious moments, South Africa reached 199 for six wickets, with nine balls to spare.

Rhodes' unspectacular, unbeaten innings of 43 from 101 balls in 138 minutes did not include a single boundary, but it provided the stability the side could not provide in the Test debacles.

Rhodes no longer plays Test cricket, preferring to spend more time with his family.

But his experience - a South African record 211 international one-dayers - and infectious personality make him an indispensable part of the limited-overs team.

Herschelle Gibbs (38) and Neil McKenzie (34) also made important contributions.

Despite a late wobble in the South African innings, Rhodes and captain Shaun Pollock (5 not out) kept their nerve to get their team home, with the winning runs coming from four leg byes off a Brett Lee thunderbolt via Rhodes' elbow.

Paceman Jason Gillespie made an impressive international return after a groin injury to take 2-28 and champion leg-spinner Shane Warne (1-19) hardly bowled a bad ball, but the Australian attack missed the cutting edge of the suspended speed ace Glenn McGrath.

There was major concern for South Africa when leading batsman Jacques Kallis twisted an ankle while falling awkwardly after shaping to pull an Andy Bichel delivery.

Kallis departed shortly afterwards for six, spectacularly snared down the leg-side by Adam Gilchrist, one of four catches taken by the Australian wicketkeeper.

In their innings, Australia skidded from 164 for five to a total 20 to 30 runs short of a competitive score after Steve Waugh won the toss and elected to bat.

Waugh top-scored with 62 and Ricky Ponting made 51, while Damien Martyn (31) was the only other batsman to pass 20.

Man-of-the-match Pollock (3-25) led the South Africans from the front with the ball and received good support from Kallis (3-30) and Makhaya Ntini (0-31 from 10 overs).

There were good early omens for South Africa when damaging left-hander Gilchrist slammed the very first ball of the innings - bowled by Pollock - into the secure hands of Allan Donald at deep third man.

Detailed Scorecard | Images from the match

Also read: Kiwis score upset victory over Australia

Mail Cricket Editor