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Fourth one-day international, Bloemfontein: Australia 290-6 (50 overs) beat South Africa 253 all out (48.1 overs) by 37 runs

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Australia proved too hot to handle for South Africa in the fourth one-day international at Bloemfontein, thanks to a century from captain Ricky Ponting.

Ponting's 129 set up an Australian total of 290 for six from their 50 overs which proved far too much for a South African side who crumbled as the run-rate became impossible.

Australia now have an unassailable 3-0 lead in the seven-match series with three games to play - the third game having ended in a tie.

Ponting dominated the Australian innings with his first century as captain in an exhibition of one-day batting.

Able assistance

Some judicious shot selection and excellent running kept the Australian rate going throughout the innings, with all the batsmen exploiting the wide open spaces of the Bloemfontein outfield.

Ponting was ably assisted by Darren Lehman who made 39 from 37 balls at a crucial stage.

The pair put on 119 for the fourth wicket from only 92 balls, taking Australia past 250.

Shaun Pollock eventually winkled out Lehmann and also took the catch that dismissed Ponting for 129.

He also picked up the wicket of Ian Harvey who holed out in the deep in an attempt to get quick runs.

Darren Lehmann runs one down to third man
Lehmann made a handy contribution

Earlier Roger Telemachus, in the side for the injured Lance Klusener, impressed with an accurate opening spell.

Having already picked up the wicket of Matthew Hayden, Telemachus added the scalp of Adam Gilchrist, clean-bowling the Australian vice-captain for a relatively tame 34 from 59 balls.

Gilchrist and Hayden had given Australia a steady start but it was only when Ponting came to the crease that they were able to up the run rate

He looked to take the game back to South Africa immediately, taking 12 off a Makhaya Ntini over, and clubbing Jacques Kallis back over his head for a mighty six, to set the scene for a thrilling innings.

Damien Martyn contributed 24, before being clean-bowled whilst attempting to sweep Nicky Boje, but that just brought Lehmann to the wicket for the carnage that followed.

Early losses

In the South African reply, debutant Graeme Smith started a revival with a quickfire 41 from 49 balls after losing early wickets.

He saw his new opening partner Gary Kirsten depart after only three overs and Andrew Hall, promoted to number three, followed soon afterwards.

Both men fell to catches behind the wicket off Glenn McGrath who bowled a typically classy opening spell.

The 20-year-old Smith eventually showed his inexperience playing on to Ian Harvey in the first ball after the drinks break.

Jacques Kallis and Neil McKenzie tried to take over from where Smith left off, rotating the strike without taking total command.

The pair put on 71 for the fourth wicket before Kallis offered a return to catch to the innocuous left-arm spin of Darren Lehmann.

Neil McKenzie flicks off his pads
McKenzie's resistance was not enough

Jonty Rhodes then joined McKenzie and together they built another 50 partnership, allowing McKenzie to complete his fifth ODI half-century off 69 balls.

However, with the run-rate edging up towards ten per over McKenzie was yorked by Brett Lee trying to make room.

Mark Boucher followed in the same fashion from the very next ball and with Shaun Pollock capitulating for just two, South Africa's chances were gone.

Lee also picked up the wickets of Boje and Rhodes for 56 to finish with his second four wicket haul in consecutive matches as South Africa subsided to 253 all out.

South Africa: S Pollock (capt), G Kirsten, G Smith, J Kallis, N McKenzie, J Rhodes, M Boucher, N Boje, A Hall, M Ntini, R Telemachus.

Australia: (from): R Ponting (capt), M Hayden, A Gilchrist, D Martyn, D Lehmann, J Maher, I Harvey, B Lee, J Gillespie, N Hauritz, G McGrath.


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