26/01Result
4th ODI (D/N), South Africa tour of Australia at Adelaide, Jan 26 2009
South Africa won by 8 wkts (71b rem)
Player of the Match
AB de Villiers
AB de VilliersSouth Africa
26/01Result
4th ODI (D/N), South Africa tour of Australia at Adelaide, Jan 26 2009
South Africa won by 8 wkts (71b rem)
Player of the Match
AB de Villiers
AB de VilliersSouth Africa

Well then, South Africa are enjoying the moment. They have taken an unassailable 3-1 lead with one game to go. AB and Amla whoop it up and grab stumps for souvenirs. Hats off to South Africa. The Adelaide Oval cheers them on.

How about a quick recap? Ponting won the toss on a good batting deck and made first use. South Africa's bowlers performed admirably in the stifling heat and struck back around Ponting's fifty. The captain, Botha, was frugal with the ball and snapped up Hussey and Haddin. Australia were in desperate need of a rear-guard action, but it never came. Ntini and Steyn chipped away and Australia were bowled out in 48 overs.

After chasing down 270 in Sydney last week, 223 didn't prove that hard for South Africa, particularly with a number of the batsmen in form. Gibbs had a bit of fun what with the fielding restrictions and all, and after he fell Kallis went. Amla and AB were unclustered and both played steady innings, later accelerating when victory was in sight.

"I've been really happy with my bowing in the last few games," says Botha. "I am very proud of the guys. We've been brilliant. We would like to finish the tour with another win."

AB is the Man of the Match for his unbeaten 82 from 85 balls. He also kept wicket, remember. "Things just fell together," he says. "Its been an unbelievable few months. Its all come true for us. A Test win and an ODI win. Its been hard work though."

So thats it, South Africa have won the Tests and the ODIs. A great tour for them indeed. Congratulations.

Do come back and join us for the fifth and final game, which is on January 30 in Perth.

Hope you've enjoyed the coverage. Thanks for your time. Be well!

38.1
1
Hopes to de Villiers, 1 run, full down the pads, clipped away, Hilfenhaus dives at short fine leg and stops but Amla and de Villiers have crossed for the winning single and South Africa win the series!

END OF OVER:
38 | 3 Runs | SA: 222/2 (1 run required from 12 overs, RR: 5.84, RRR: 0.08)

  • Hashim Amla80 (103b)
  • AB de Villiers81 (84b)
  • Ben Hilfenhaus8-0-49-1
  • Shaun Tait9-0-49-0
37.6
0
Hilfenhaus to Amla, no run, banged in short, Amla gets tall and fends it down back the track

The scores are tied.

37.5
1
Hilfenhaus to de Villiers, 1 run, swings across the line, cross-bat and all, and midwicket fumbles
37.4
0
Hilfenhaus to de Villiers, no run, another hard-hit on-drive down toward the fielder
37.3
0
Hilfenhaus to de Villiers, no run, pitches on middle and leg and he on-drives it down the ground
37.2
1lb
Hilfenhaus to Amla, 1 leg bye, slides down the pads and he cant get bat on it, ball flies to point
37.1
0
Hilfenhaus to Amla, no run, short of a length and he swats it off one leg and beats square leg
37.1
1w
Hilfenhaus to Amla, 1 wide, very full and wide and Haddin has to earn his match fee

END OF OVER:
37 | 5 Runs | SA: 219/2 (4 runs required from 13 overs, RR: 5.91, RRR: 0.30)

  • Hashim Amla80 (100b)
  • AB de Villiers80 (81b)
  • Shaun Tait9-0-49-0
  • Mitchell Johnson10-0-63-0
36.6
1
Tait to Amla, 1 run, a tad too straight and Amla crisply brushes it off his pads out to the deep

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South Africa 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st58HH GibbsHM Amla
2nd21JH KallisHM Amla
3rd144HM AmlaAB de Villiers