Opening bowlers Dale Steyn and Wayne Parnell produced devastating performances as South Africa bounced back with a convincing seven-wicket victory in the second one-day international against Australia at Centurion Park yesterday.
Australia were bowled out for 131 after their top order batsmen were blown away by Steyn and teenager Parnell.
South Africa needed just 26.2 overs to level the five-match series.
PHOTO: EPA
Australia crashed to 19 for five before Callum Ferguson led a partial recovery, making 50.
Steyn took four for 27 and the left-armed Parnell, 19, claimed four for 25 in his second one-day international.
Steyn started the slide when he bowled Brad Haddin off an inside edge with the sixth ball of the match.
Australia captain Ricky Ponting hit the first ball he faced from Steyn for six, but made only two more runs before edging a drive against Parnell to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher.
Man-of-the-match Parnell dismissed Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey leg before wicket with full deliveries that swung late and had figures of three for three after four overs, while Steyn had David Hussey caught behind.
Ferguson and Mitchell Johnson put on 63 from 107 balls for the seventh wicket in the only substantial partnership of the innings, before Johnson was deceived by a doosra from off-spinner Johan Botha.
Ferguson made 50 off 83 balls before falling to a vicious lifter from Steyn in the fast bowler’s second spell, gloving a catch to backward point.
Herschelle Gibbs fell early to Johnson, but South African captain Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis put on 69 for the second wicket to take their team more than half way to the target.
Needing wickets to have any chance of salvaging the match, Ponting bowled out Johnson, his main strike bowler, inside the first 22 overs. Johnson took two for 47 in his 10 overs.
Parnell, who was awarded a contract last week, was one of three changes for South Africa. Kallis returned and slow bowler Roelof van der Merwe was given a first cap.
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