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DURBAN, South Africa, March 11 (AFP): Australia levelled their series against South Africa when they scrambled a one- wicket win with five balls to spare in the fourth one-day international at Kingsmead Friday, setting up a series decider in the final match in Johannesburg Sunday.
Last batsman Mick Lewis hit a full toss from Andrew Hall through midwicket for two off the first ball of the final over to secure Australia's win.
Boeta Dippenaar hit 101 as South Africa made 246 for nine after winning the toss, with Shaun Pollock giving the innings a late burst with an unbeaten 53 off 33 balls.
It didn't look nearly enough when Adam Gilchrist and Simon Katich raced to 87 in a first wicket partnership for Australia, especially when leading bowler Pollock left the field with a back injury after bowling only five overs.
But four wickets fell quickly, including a spell of three wickets for two runs in ten balls.
Then Andrew Symonds, playing in his first match of the series after recovering from a hip flexor muscle injury, powered 76 off 71 balls as Australia seemed to take control again.
There was another twist, with Symonds and Brett Lee falling off successive deliveries as Australia slipped to 218 for eight. Nathan Bracken was bowled with six still needed but Stuart Clark and Lewis saw Australia through.
Fast-medium bowler Roger Telemachus kept South Africa in the game, taking three for 34. He dismissed Damien Martyn and captain Ricky Ponting in the space of three balls and bowled Symonds when he came back to bowl at the end of the innings.
Ponting said he was disappointed with some of the shots played by his batsmen.
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