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Australia fall to South Africa’s makeshift bowling attack
PORT ELIZABETH: South Africa rested three of their frontline bowlers but continued to dominate Australia as they won the fourth one-day international by six wickets
PORT ELIZABETH: South Africa rested three of their frontline bowlers but continued to dominate Australia as they won the fourth one-day international by six wickets at St George’s Park on Sunday.
Kyle Abbott led what was effectively South Africa’s backup bowling attack as Australia were bowled out for 167, the lowest total of the series.
South African captain Faf du Plessis made 69 as South Africa secured their fourth successive win with 14.3 overs to spare.
It left Australian captain Steve Smith having to contemplate the prospect of a 5-0 series defeat going into the final match in Cape Town on Wednesday.
“We don’t want a whitewash so we’ll have to turn up and play,” he said. Smith said he was disappointed with the batting performance. “The wicket maybe wasn’t as good as the others but 250 was about par.”
Having clinched the fivematch series by winning the first three games, South Africa rested fast bowlers Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada and leading spin bowler Imran Tahir.
They were replaced by Abbott and spinners Tabraiz Shamsi and Aaron Phangiso.
Man of the match Abbott admitted that he felt nervous before the game, having not been part of the first three matches.
