AUS v SA, 2nd ODI, Hobart: Australia beat South Africa by 5 runs, level series (AUS 1:1)
Jan 18, 2009
A new look Australian bowling attack stifled South Africa's in-form batsmen as the hosts eked out a thrilling five-run win in the second ODI to level the five-match cricket series 1-1.
Put into bat, Australia at one stage looked certain to reach the 300-mark before South African bowlers bounced back to restrict them to a moderate 249 for nine with Shaun Marsh (78) and Ricky Ponting (64) shinning with the bat.
In reply, South Africa got handy contributions from Jacques Kallis (72), AB de Villiers (44), Mark Boucher (37 not out) and JP Duminy (35) but still fell six runs short of the victory target and finished 244 for six in the humdinger.
Needing 17 from the final over off Ben Hilfenhaus, Mark Boucher hit the bowler for a six but in the subsequent deliveries, boundaries were not easy to come by. Required a six off the last ball, Boucher could only manage a single as Australia levelled the series.
AUS v SA, 2nd ODI, Hobart: Australia 249-9 (50.0 overs) beat South Africa 244-6 (50.0 overs) by 5 runs
