Australia make it to number one after fourth win

Kangaroos win 4-1 against South Africa to overtake India in ODI rankings

SYDNEY: James Faulkner hit the winning boundary in the final over to give Australia a thrilling two-wicket win over South Africa yesterday and take them to the top of the ODI rankings.

The Australians were cruising towards a rain-reduced victory target of 275 in Sydney but lost four wickets for three runs to give the Proteas a sniff back in.

However, Faulkner got Australia over the line with a sweep for four off spinner Robin Peterson, who had bowled the tourists into contention with four wickets.

Australia secured a 4-1 series win and nudged ahead of India by just 0.2 points to top the ODI rankings, less than three months before the start of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Proteas wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock was named man-of-the-match for his 107 off 123 balls after South Africa won the toss and scored 280-6.

The Australians seemed in control of the run chase with Aaron Finch scoring 76, Shane Watson 82 and man-of-the-series Steve Smith 67.

But some reckless batting coupled with Peterson's wily spin brought South Africa back into contention after Glenn Maxwell, Smith, skipper George Bailey, Matt Wade and Pat Cummins all departed in quick succession.

“We made it a bit difficult for ourselves in the end and Jimmy [Faulkner] again got us home so it's nice to win the series 4-1,” Smith said. “We were a bit nervous sitting and watching and we were actually feeling a little bit sick, I don't know what happened, and luckily Jimmy came out and rescued us again.”

 

 

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