Perth: Dale Steyn (2/18) claimed early wickets as South Africa’s pace attack combined superbly to heap more misery on Australia with a six-wicket thrashing to take a 1-0 lead in their three-match ODI series here Sunday.
Sent in to bat, Australia succumbed to 152 all out in 38.1 overs and the victory target never looked like troubling the visitors who romped home with 20 overs to spare following a breezy knock from opener Quinton de Kock (47).
The Proteas bowled with great discipline, ensuring that Australia’s inexperienced batting unit could never settle on a pitch which offered plenty of the pace and bounce. Nathan Coulter-Nile’s (34) cameo was a rare high point for the side.
De Kock and opening partner Reeza Hendricks (44) got South Africa off to a blistering start as Australia’s seam attack struggled to utilise the conditions. Aiden Markram added 36 to the score and Marcus Stoinus (3-14) added some degree of respectability to the final margin, but at no stage were the tourists threatened as Du Plessis (10 n o) guided his team home.
Brief scores: Australia 152 (Nathan Coulter-Nile 34; Andile Phehlukwayo 3/33, Dale Steyn 2/18) lost to South Africa 153/4 (Quinton de Kock 47; Marcus Stoinis 3/16) by 4 wickets.