BBC SPORT | Cricket | Specials | Australia v South Africa | Aussies fight back for thrilling tie

Third one-day international, Potchefstroom, South Africa 259-7 (50 overs) v Australia 259-9 (50 overs)

Jimmy Maher and Nathan Hauritz put together an explosive last wicket partnership to take Australia to a tie in the third one-day international against South Africa at Potchefstroom.

It was the third match in the last three years between these two sides to finish with the scores level.

The 1999 World Cup semi-final and the third match of the 2000 indoor series in Melbourne were both equally thrilling.

Australia had been coasting to victory with Matthew Hayden and Darren Lehmann at the wicket.

But the two stocky left-handers departed within an over of each other to set off a seemingly terminal tumble of wickets.

Andy Bichel, Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie all followed cheaply before Maher and Hauritz pulled the match out of the fire for the Australians.

Together the pair added 36 for the final wicket in just 29 balls to see the match drawn.

In a tension-filled final over, Hauritz required two of the final delivery but had to settle for a single to long off.

Early wobble

Jonty Rhodes had earlier led South Africa to a competitive score after a shaky beginning.

The hosts had been wobbling early on after Lee removed both Herschelle Gibbs and Boeta Dippenaar, in a pacy opening spell.

The score had only reached 27 but some steady batting from Jacques Kallis and Neil McKenzie, who replaced Gary Kirsten, revived the South Africans.

Together the pair added 78 for the third wicket before McKenzie fell for 37 to part-time spinner Lehmann.

Rhodes then joined Kallis in the middle and immediately changed the impetus of the innings.

Jonty Rhodes
Rhodes hit a reverse-sweep six off Lehman
Some clever shot selection and lightning fast running saw Rhodes rocket to his fifty from just 44 balls, despite hitting only four boundaries.

Kallis appeared to take inspiration from his partner, upping his own rate before finally falling for 71, edging the ball behind to Adam Gilchrist after being undone by extra bounce from Gillespie.

Lance Klusener made a typically brisk 20, reaching 3,000 runs in ODI cricket, the sixth South African to do so, before he chipped Lee to Hayden in the deep.

But Rhodes ignored the fall of wickets continuing with his impudent style, including a reverse sweep for six off Lehmann, to take South Africa past 250.

In the final over, Rhodes was eventually removed for 83 from just 74 balls by Lee, giving the paceman four wickets for the innings, as South Africa reached 259 for seven from their 50 overs.

Shakey start

Australia's innings began in the same fashion, with early wickets putting them under pressure.

Gilchrist made only 16 before he fell to Makhaya Ntini, tamely edging to Mark Boucher behind the stumps as he attempted to cut.

Ricky Ponting looked in good touch early on but departed for only six, run out by Klusener.

Damien Martyn sweeping
Martyn was one of two run-out victims
As in South Africa's effort, the innings settled down, with Damien Martyn joining Hayden in a partnership worth 73 for the third wicket.

However, another mistake with Australia's running cost Martyn his wicket for 35, with the total on 112 for three.

Shaun Pollock pulled off an excellent piece of fielding at short fine leg throwing down the stumps with Martyn failing to regain his ground after backing up too far.

Hayden continued unabashed by his colleagues failures and despite losing Lehmann for a run-a-ball 33, Australia still looked like favourites.

However, with Lehmann only just back in the pavilion, the anchor-man followed him for 78, tamely chipping the ball to mid-off for the bowling of Nicky Boje.

South Africa looked to have the match wrapped up, until the late fireworks.

South Africa: Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis, Boeta Dippenaar, Neil McKenzie, Jonty Rhodes, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock (captain), Lance Klusener, Nicky Boje, Makhaya Ntini.

Australia: Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Jimmy Maher, Ricky Ponting (captain), Damien Martyn, Darren Lehmann, Shane Watson, Brett Lee, Andy Bichel, Jason Gillespie, Nathan Hauritz.


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