Three successive wins have handed South Africa the series here. Australia were in the hunt with the kind of start they got from Clarke and Haddin, who added 129. But three wickets in fairly quick succession, all to spinners turned the tide in favour of South Africa. van der Merwe was the star for them with the ball, taking three wickets 3 for 46, including the half-centurion Clarke and Michael Hussey. Ponting started off slowly but got into his groove a little too late with five wickets down. He took four boundaries off an over from Steyn in the third powerplay but fell off the final ball, proving decisive in the outcome. Hopes tried to resist, but Steyn came back well to clean up the tail and finish with 4 for 44.

Ponting: "It (the score) was too many in the end. We let them off in the middle and towards the end of their innings. Gibbs played a sensational knock, and despite the movement early on, we couldn't do well enough. We are professional cricketers and we try to do our best each time we play. We weren't able to do well this time, and the South Africans outplayed us in the last three games."

Herschelle Gibbs is the Man of the Match for his 110.

Gibbs: "It's a beautiful ground to play and a beautiful crowd as well. It was a matter of getting through the new ball, and the guys prepared a really good wicket. It was all about getting partnerships up front and the guys finished up very well in the end. It was nice to get some runs today and finish off what has been a really peaceful easter weekend."

Smith: "Another very good day for us, and the batsmen did a superb job. Gibbs has been getting some starts, but it was good to see him do well today. We were going to bat anyway, but we were hoping for the pitch to slow up. It is a bit unusual for Australia to bowl first in big games. Everyone's contributing with both bat and ball, and we'll look to finish the series on a high note at the Wanderers."

That's all we have from here folks. Thanks for tuning in and sending us all your feedback. We'll see you again for the fifth and final ODI in Johannesburg on April 17. Until then, on behalf of all of us at Cricinfo, it's Siddhartha Talya signing off. Adios!

45.5
W
Steyn to Harwood, OUT, Timber, It's all over! Full and straight, bang on middle, Harwood tries his level best to dig it out but can't get his bat down in time, the stumps are pegged back and the crowd roars

SM Harwood b Steyn 0 (2m 4b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00

45.4
0
Steyn to Harwood, no run, much fuller but almost touching 150 once again, Harwood slashes hard, predictably misses
45.3
0
Steyn to Harwood, no run, bowled at a fiery pace that, 152.1 kmph, zipped past Harwood even before he had decided to play the stroke
45.2
0
Steyn to Harwood, no run, short of a length outside off, makes room to cut, misses

South Africa are on the brink of a series win here. Just one more wicket needed. Harwood, the debutant, is now on strike

45.1
W
Steyn to Hauritz, OUT, the end is nearing for the visitors now! Slightly short on middle, Hauritz makes room to dab that down to third man, misses it completely and the ball crashes into the stumps

NM Hauritz b Steyn 3 (9m 5b 0x4 0x6) SR: 60.00

Australia tour of South Africa 2008-09 News

Australia 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st129BJ HaddinMJ Clarke
2nd8RT PontingMJ Clarke
3rd8RT PontingCJ Ferguson
4th6RT PontingMEK Hussey
5th37RT PontingDJ Hussey
6th38RT PontingJR Hopes
7th19JR HopesMG Johnson
8th10JR HopesNM Hauritz
9th1NW BrackenNM Hauritz
10th0NW BrackenSM Harwood