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Klusener clubs South Africa to victory

Lance Klusener slammed a 49-ball half-century as South Africa clinched the three-match challenge limited-overs series against Australia with a four-wicket victory at the Wanderers on Sunday.

South Africa won the series 2-1 against the World Cup champions to the delight of a packed crowd of 31,500.

It was a triumph for new South African captain Shaun Pollock, who took over after Hansie Cronje was fired Tuesday for taking money from an Indian bookmaker.

Pollock spearheaded an all-pace attack, taking four for 37 as Australia were bowled out for 205 after being sent in on a lively pitch.

South Africa seemed headed for an easy win as Jacques Kallis and pinch-hitting opening batsman Andrew Hall pounded 37 runs off four overs from Shane Warne and Ian Harvey as South Africa raced to 91 for two after 19 overs. But Hall was caught at cover off Warne for 46. Waugh immediately brought fast bowler Brett Lee back into the attack and he dismissed Kallis and Nicky Boje as South Africa crashed to 91 for five.

Lee built up exceptional pace on a helpful pitch and two deliveries were recorded by a radar gun at 156kmh.

Mark Boucher and Jonty Rhodes batted cautiously before Rhodes was caught off Warne, who took two for 10 in his last seven overs.

Boucher (55 not out) was joined by Klusener (52 not out) and the pair took South Africa to victory with an unbeaten stand of 87 which was dominated by the clean hitting of Klusener. Klusener was named man of the match and man of the series.

Earlier, Australian captain Steve Waugh made 51 to enable his side to make a reasonable score. He was dropped on two by wicketkeeper Mark Boucher shortly after Michael Bevan, who went on to score 33, was dropped at slip by Kallis when he had 13. Both chances were off Makhaya Ntini.

After Waugh's battling 86-ball innings was ended by fast bowler Mornantau Hayward, Ian Harvey and Shane Warne boosted Australia's total with an eighth wicket stand of 52 off 67 balls.

Waugh said afterwards that even without the services of Cronje, he knew the South Africa team would provide tough opposition.

"I wasn't surprised that they played so well without Hansie. Life goes on, the game goes on. Australia will go on without me and Warnie (Shane Warne). No one person is bigger than the game."

Waugh added that the pressure of Cronje affair had told on both sides. "I don't like being hounded by the press about issues that are not directly about the matches. It certainly took an edge off the series."

Pollock, who was playing in his 100th one-day international, said that Cronje still had a large hand in their victory.

"He was with us during our preparation and we all still have a lot of respect for Hansie.

"Indeed, some of this victory belongs to him."

He did, however, add that the team might still have to adjust to life without him.

"We don't know how this situation will work out in the end and we have to realise he might not be coming back."

South Africa had a number of new players in the team, particularly in the sphere of bowling and a series like this would help them gain experience. He was particularly delighted with the performance of Andrew Hall.

"He has done well for Gauteng this season and his 46 runs in 49 balls was a great effort, particularly when one considers that we lost two senior batsmen (Gary Kirsten and Herschelle Gibbs) so early in the innings.

"When players like Allan Donald and Daryll Cullinan stop playing it takes a lot of time to replace them."

Man of the match and series Lance Klusener, who did not lose his wicket in any of the three games, said it was great to get back into form, but admitted that the ghost of the World Cup, where he was run out in the last over of their semifinal against Australia with just one run needed for victory, did come back to haunt him Sunday.

"The World Cup was an error of judgement. You have to put it behind you and carry on. But when it came close to the end of the match, I did think about it."

The season has now come to an end for Australia and South Africa and they both have two months off.

"We've been on the road for 22 out of 24 months. I need to go home and see if my family still recognise me."

The final word belonged to Pollock, who when asked if this was his biggest win to date, replied: "It's certainly my best as captain."