David Warner, bowlers help Australia beat South Africa in ODI tri-series

Win by 36 runs

Faf du Plessis walks back after his dismissal. (AFP)

 

 BASSETERRE (St. Kitts): Australia opener David Warner notched his sixth one-day century, fittingly at Warner Park, to help set up a 36-run win over South Africa on Saturday in the fourth match of the limited-overs tri-series.

Warner's 109 off 120 balls included 11 fours and two sixes to help Australia reach 288-6 off 50 overs.

 

Usman Khawaja supported him well with 59 off 71 balls while captain Steve Smith provided an unbeaten 52 off 49.

South Africa seemed on target for a successful chase on the back of 60 from opener Hashim Amla and 63 from Faf du Plessis.

But pacemen Mitchell Starc (3-43) and Josh Hazlewood (3-52) and leg-spinner Adam Zampa (3-52) combined to take the last seven wickets for just 42 runs, bowling out South Africa for 252 in 47.4 overs.

Earlier, Australia was given a solid start by Warner after winning the toss. The in-form left-hander shared an opening stand of 48 in 10 overs with Aaron Finch, who contributed just 13.

When Finch was bowled sweeping at Imran Tahir, Warner and Khawaja shared an assured second-wicket stand of 136.

But from 184-1 in the 36th over, the Aussies lost momentum once Warner pulled Parnell to midwicket and Khawaja top-edged a sweep off Aaron Phangiso.

Smith managed to provide a brief flourish towards the end with wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, who hit 24 off 14 balls.

Tahir finished with 2-45 off nine overs.

South Africa's innings also started well, with Amla and du Plessis rebuilding in a second-wicket stand of 105 after the early loss of Quntin de Kock, who holed out to deep square leg off Hazlewood.

Hazlewood added the crucial wickets of Amla and captain A.B. de Villiers and Starc removed du Plessis to spark the collapse.

Amla, who struck six fours and a six, lofted to extra cover while du Plessis slashed to backward point.

J.P. Duminy gave the Proteas some hope with 41 off 39 balls, but there was little support from the long tail.

Australia, with nine points, leads the standings in the three-nation tournament ahead of South Africa (five) and West Indies (four).

The West Indies play Australia on Monday, again at Basseterre.

 

BRIEF SCORES

 

Australia: 288 for 6 (David Warner 109, Usman Khawaja 59, Steve Smith 52 not out).

South Africa: 252 (Faf du Plessis 63, Hashim Amla 60, Mitchell Starc 3/43, Adam Zampa 3/52, Josh Hazlewood 3/52).

Australia beat South Africa by 36 runs.