Proteas go down by seven runs, face series decider in Hobart
The Proteas wasted a golden opportunity to wrap up their ODI series against Australia when they went down to a seven-run defeat at the Adelaide Oval on Friday in pursuit of what was a moderate target on a good batting surface.
The two teams now go 1-1 to the series decider at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart on Sunday.
Once again, the powerful Proteas pace attack did the business for their side, dismissing Australia for 231 in 48.3 overs with Kagiso Rabada (4/54 in 9.3 overs) and Dale Steyn (2/31 in 10 overs) leading the way. There were also three wickets for Dwaine Pretorius (3/32 in 10 overs) who took the place of Andile Phehlukwayo in the only change to the side from Perth as the Proteas continued their experimentation with their all-rounders ahead of the World Cup.
In retrospect they were probably disappointed that they allowed Australia to score 44 runs for their last two wickets.
The Proteas then put themselves under pressure with some soft dismissals from the top order but they were still well in control when Faf du Plessis (47 off 65 balls, 3 fours) and David Miller (51 off 71 balls, 3 fours and a six) added 74 for the fifth wicket in 15 overs.
When Du Plessis was dismissed, the target was down to 90 runs in the last 20 overs with five wickets in hand which was a very gettable equation.
But Miller did not get enough support from the lower order and in the end Australia won more comfortably than the final margin suggests.
Aaron Finch (41 off 63 balls, 4 fours) – he also impressed with the handling of his attack in defending the below par total – Chris Lynn (44 off 44 balls, 3 fours and 2 sixes) and Alec Carey (47 off 72 balls, 4 fours) were the main contributors to the Australian total while their four seamers all did well with the ball.
Mitchell Stoinis had the best figures of 3/35 in 10 while there were two wickets apiece for Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.