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JOHANNESBURG, Mar 12 (BBC): Australia became the first team in one-day internationals to pass 400 as they hit 434-4 against South Africa in the series decider in Johannesburg.
Captain Ricky Ponting completed the fastest century of the 20 he has made at this level, finishing with his best score - 164 off 105 balls faced.
Michael Hussey helped him add 158 for the third wicket, contributing 81, as Australia shattered the record.
The previous best score was Sri Lanka's 398-5 against Kenya 10 years ago.
Australia won the toss on a perfect batting wicket at the Wanderers and were given an ideal start by Adam Gilchrist (55) and Simon Katich (79).
They put on 97 in barely 15 overs for the first wicket as an attack missing Shaun Pollock, Andre Nel and Charl Langeveldt struggled from the off.
TOP SCORES IN ODIs 434-4: Australia v South Africa, Jo'burg, 2005-06398-5: Sri Lanka v Kenya, Kandy, 1995-96397-5: New Zealand v Zimbabwe, Bulawayo, 2005-06391-4: England v Bangladesh, Nottingham, 2005376-2: India v New Zealand, Hyderabad, 1999-2000373-6: India v Sri Lanka, Taunton, 1999371-9: Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Nairobi, 1996-97
The opening stand was only ended by a stunning one-handed catch by Andrew Hall at mid-on - but that was soon forgotten in the carnage that followed.
Ponting began cautiously but was soon thumping sixes about on the same ground where he had hit an unbeaten 140 in the 2003 World Cup final.
He put on 119 with Katich off 93 balls - but that was just the warm-up act.
His partnership with Hussey occupied just 96 balls as the pair went ballistic with almost any ball on a length hit for four or six.
After Hussey had fallen to a catch in the deep, the 400 came up in the 48th over with Roger Telemachus producing four no-balls in succession.
By then, Andrew Symonds had joined in the party but Ponting finally holed out at deep extra cover in the same over, which cost 28 runs in all.
Jacques Kallis (0-70 off six overs) was the most expensive of South Africa's beleaguered bowlers.
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