AUSTRALIA has produced a morale-boosting win after a nightmare week to send their one-day series to a decider in Hobart.
AUSTRALIA has ended its lengthy losing streak with a stirring victory in the second one-day international against South Africa, levelling the series in Adelaide.
The South Africans, chasing 232 at Adelaide Oval, made 9-224 as Australia set up a series-deciding game three in Hobart on Sunday.
Marcus Stoinis took 3-35 and quicks Josh Hazlewood (2-42) and Pat Cummins (1-27) stifled the South Africans.
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But Australia’s batting woes remain: they were all out for 231 in 48.3 overs - the seventh time in their past eight one-day internationals they couldn’t bat their allotted overs.
Alex Carey top-scored on home deck with 47 from 72 balls, Chris Lynn made 44 from 44 and captain Aaron Finch 41 from 63 deliveries.
The returning Shaun Marsh (22 from 26 balls) also looked in touch but no batsmen converted stylish starts into a scores of substance.
The hard-hitting Lynn threatened, launching at Kasigo Rabada and cracking 18 runs - a six and three fours - from consecutive deliveries.
Next ball, attempting to hook a searing bouncer, Lynn edged behind and momentum stalled.
Proteas paceman Rabada picked up 4-54, Dwaine Pretorius took 3-32 and Dale Steyn bowled superbly for his 2-31 from 10 overs.
Australia’s skipper Finch and Marsh put on a bright 44-run partnership but it was the innings-high as Travis Head (8), Glenn Maxwell (15) and Stoinis (2) fell cheap.
But Stoinis, before crowd of 17,680 spectators, made amends with frequent strikes with the ball for his second-best ODI figures.
The South Africans slipped to 4-68 inside 15 overs before David Miller (51 from 71 balls) and captain Faf du Plessis rallied.
They put the chase on pace with a game-high 74 run partnership before du Plessis (47 from 65 balls) inexplicably chopped on to his stumps from Cummins’ bowling. The skipper’s departure started a slide of 5-60 as Australia ended a seven-game ODI losing stretch.
Stoinis, Hazlewood and Cummins pressed as the visitors lost 3-13, leaving 30 runs to get from the last three overs.
Spearhead Mitchell Starc (2-51) then delivered a vital wicket-maiden to help close out the victory.
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Originally published as Live coverage of second ODI between Australia and South Africa from Adelaide Oval
Zampa can't finish it off.
SIX: Ngidi almost smacks it out of the ground.
One over left. It's Maxwell.
FOUR: Tahir gets a boundary off the first ball, then a single. Fifteen off four balls. Fourteen off three. Thirteen from two.
FOUR: Tahir finishes it off with a boundary but South Africa finish seven runs short.
Zampa can't finish it off.
SIX: Ngidi almost smacks it out of the ground.
One over left. It's Maxwell.
FOUR: Tahir gets a boundary off the first ball, then a single. Fifteen off four balls. Fourteen off three. Thirteen from two.
FOUR: Tahir finishes it off with a boundary but South Africa finish seven runs short.
Starc finds that late in-swinging yorker to knock over the No.9
Rabada decides now is the time to hit out – but it's too late.
Zampa gets a chance of a cheap wicket but Ngini thwarts him by getting his foot back (barely).
Lots of plays and misses but Starc can't get his man.
Rabada and Ngini are prolonging the inevitable.
Commentators are praising Zampa for not conceding runs but he is facing the No.9 and No.10
Stoinis in for his last over.
Rabada showing no urgency whatsoever. He leaves the first ball and plays an orthodox shot for a single on the second.
REVIEW: Miller charges, misses the ball and is wrapped on the back leg. Umpire says not out – and he is a long way down the pitch.
Stoinis now has three wickets for the second match in a row.
Stoinis in for his last over.
Rabada showing no urgency whatsoever. He leaves the first ball and plays an orthodox shot for a single on the second.
REVIEW: Miller charges, misses the ball and is wrapped on the back leg. Umpire says not out – and he is a long way down the pitch.
Stoinis now has three wickets for the second match in a row.
Four dots to start the over. Rabada hits the fifth for a single.
Miller gets one ball.
And he misses it.
Zampa concedes only one run.
Game seems to have slipped away from the tourists.
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