Aussies beat Proteas by 81 runs

ELMO Rodrigopulle reporting from Australia

TELSTRA DOME, Melbourne, Friday - A sizzling sixth wicket stand of 109 in 74 balls between Andrew Symonds and Michael Hussey and some excellent fielding and economical bowling helped the Australians to beat South Africa by 81 runs in a Victoria Bitter triangular match under lights at the Telstra Dome, here today.

After Australia blazed to 281 for 7 and when South Africa began their chase, Brett Lee knocked the stuffings out of their innings when with the second ball of his first over he had Smith plumb in front with one of the fastest yorkers seen in this tourney.

Smith who has the tendency to shuffle across his stumps was flabbergasted when the ball hit his back foot. He is now termed as Lee's bunny. However TV replays showed that Smith was unlucky.

With Smith's dismissal for a duck it signalled the beginning of the end for the South Africans in their endeavour to win and seal their place in the best of three finals.

The South African batting began to collapse when Lee came back for his third spell and in fearsome and fiery 8th over had three wickets - that of Botha 45 in 61 balls, Kemp 30 in 30 balls and Boucher for a duck in the only ball he faced.

Earlier Dippenaar went for 9 in 23 balls and Gibbs for 33 in 40 balls. Rudolph 19 in 39 balls and Prince 31 in 39 balls ran themselves out unnecessarily..

Pollock went for 16 in 17 balls and Hall 19 and Wath 8 hung on to take South Africa to 201 for 9 in 50.It was a sad performance by the Proteas and left the second spot for the finals still wide open. They play the Aussies again in Sydney on Sunday, and if they win can yet make it to the finals

Brett Lee finished with the figures of 4 for 30 in 10.Michael Hussey was the man of the match.

A near 27 thousand crowd took in the action.

The Australians had to make a last minute change to their team and bring back speedster Brett Lee who was orginally rested with Glen McGrath having to fly to Sydney to be with his sick wife. Cricket Australia in a release on Mcgrath's sudden pull out said "Jane Mcgrath today confirmed she has a recurrence of cancer and will undergo radiotherapy treatment early next week."

"As with her previous episodes, both Jane and Glenn are extremely positive that the treatment will be successful and have requested that during this time, all parties respect their privacy," it said.

"It is Glenn's intention to continue playing with the Australian cricket team, however, his immediate concern is with his family, and he will discuss his playing schedule with Cricket Australia and team management in due course", the release concluded.

The South Africans fielded the same team that brought them victory against the Sri Lankans in Perth.

James Hopes super subbed for Australia and Joahn Botha for South Africa.

Ricky Ponting who was coming back after a two match rest won the toss with Graeme Smith calling incorrectly and elected to bat first.

Adam Gilchrist and Simon Katich opened for Australia and as usual Gilchrist was nto the quick run making act,with Katich giving him good support.

Gilchrist and Katich found runs hard to make off Shaun Pollock who was bowling a good line and length.

After adding 45,Gilchrist who drove well in front of the wicket was bowled by Andrew Hall for 33 in 45 balls with 3 fours.He was bowled off an under edge.

Ponting came back refreshed after his layoff and seemed hungry for runs the way he was going. Katich left at 71 to a well held catch at mid on by Pollock off Wath for 25 with 2 fours in 43 balls.

Ponting was in good form driving and flicking off his toes, while Damen Martyn played solidly. Martyn was out at 145 after adding 74 for the third wicket off the off spin of Smith. He made 34 off 46 balls and his partnership with Ponting came in 84 balls.

Ponting reached a well played 50 off 58 balls and left 3 runs later with 3 fours and one six.It was his 50th 50 in 243 one-day internationals.

Michael Clarke came in and did not last long running himself out fo and the Aussies were tottering at 167 for 5. Then came the batting fireworks when Andrew Symonds and Michael Hussey were at the centre.

Symonds, cut hooked and went over the top with wonderful and amazing stroke-play Timing the ball with tremendous power he raced to 50 in 52 balls with 2 fours and six.

Left hander Hussey drove beautifully on either side of the wicket and runs were beginning to flow at more than a run a ball. Hussey reached 50 in 39 balls with 7 fours.

They added 51 in 49 balls and then launched a merciless attack on the hapless bowlers putting on 109 in just 74 balls. In the 47th and 48th overs they hammered 36 runs.

Hussey was bowled by Wath for 62 in 44 balls with 9 fours at 276 and in the final ball of the 50th over the big hitting Symonds was run out trying to steal a single for 65 in 60 balls with 5 fours and one huge six.

The Aussie innings closed at 281 for 7 leaving the South Africans a run chase of 5.82 for victory.