Abbott stars as South Africa wins big
Playing their first match of the series, paceman Kyle Abbott and chinaman bowler Tabraiz Shamsi starred in South Africa’s commanding six-wicket win over Australia in the fourth One-Day International at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth.
Victory on Sunday (October 9) with 87 deliveries to spare helped South Africa, which had already taken a winning lead after the previous match, open up a 4-0 advantage and put it on course for a clean sweep, going into the fifth and final ODI at Newlands in Cape Town on October 12.
Abbott, Shamsi and Aaron Phangiso, the left-arm spinner, were all drafted in for what was effectively South Africa’s back-up bowling attack as the host rested pacemen Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada, as well as Imran Tahir, the leg-spinner.
Abbott, who was named the man of the match, finished with 4 for 40 from his eight overs, Shamsi took 3 for 36 from his 10 and Phangiso returned 2 for 17 as Australia was shot out for 167 in 36.4 overs, the lowest total of the series.
Chris Tremain, the paceman, gave the visitor some hope by getting rid of Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock, the openers, in the short burst to lunch, but Faf du Plessis struck 69 to bring the track back on chase. Taking a cue from the skipper, Rilee Rossouw and Farhaan Behardien steered the team home with plenty to spare.
After Steve Smith won his third straight toss and chose to bat, Abbott sent South Africa on its way by bowling Aaron Finch through the gate with the third ball of the match and then dismissing David Warner in similar fashion in his next over.
Australia suffered another early blow and slumped to 12 for 3 when Dwaine Pretorius trapped George Bailey in front.
Smith and Mitchell Marsh were in the middle of a stabilising stand when, in the space of three deliveries, Shamsi trapped the Australian captain and Travis Head in front, pegging Australia back at 49 for 5. Then followed the only substantial partnership of the innings, worth 62 between Marsh, who made an even 50 off 72 deliveries with five fours and a six, and Matthew Wade, the wicketkeeper who contributed an innings-high 52 off 58 deliveries, with five fours and two sixes.
Brought back to end the stand, Abbott obliged by having Marsh caught behind, and even though Wade and Tremain put on 46 for the ninth wicket, Australia was bowled out with more than 13 overs left unutilised.
Tremain returned with the ball to trap Amla in front with a sharp delivery that seamed back in and had de Kock caught at deep mid-wicket on the pull, but du Plessis’ steadying hand guided the team home. Dropped by Adam Zampa at point on 16 off John Hastings, du Plessis went on to share half-century stands with JP Duminy and Rossouw before holing out to deep square-leg off Marsh's bowling. He hit eight fours in an 87-ball innings.
"We don't want a whitewash, so we'll have to turn up and play," Smith, disappointed with the batting performance, said. "The wicket maybe wasn't as good as the others but 250 was about par."