Right then, that is it from this game where South Africa registered a massive win to take this series to the decider. Both teams are still in it and it is all to play for in the fifth and final ODI which will played in the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. That game will start at 1.30 pm IST (8 am GMT), but as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up to that game. Until then, cheers and goodbye!
Aiden Markram, the victorious skipper of South Africa says that there were quite a few special performances by the team, Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller to start with to put up such an incredible partnership. Lungi Ngidi for his four wickets and as a team the performance that came out on a do-or-die match was incredible to see. He added that it is going to be a fresh start in the next game and they will be looking to give their all again as Australia is a world-class side and they too will come back hard.
Heinrich Klaasen is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his incredible innings. He says that is a really special feeling for him as he cannot remember the last time he played an innings so well. Adds that the plan between him and Rassie van der Dussen was to see till the 35th over and then attack but unfortunately his partner got out then. Tells that the wicket got a bit better and he enjoyed his batting. Says that the boys in the hut were asking for a score of 400+. Ends by saying that the fans are brilliant here and they support them no matter what.
Mitchell Marsh, the captain of Australia says that it was a tough day at the office and he gives his regards to Heinrich Klaasen for his innings. He says that till the 35th over they were on top and then it was just brilliant batting by South Africa. Adds that the wicket was beautiful, the outfield was really fast, a few partnerships and they could have gone close is what Marsh says when asked about the batting. The big plus point according to him was Alex Carey coming into form in great style scoring his 99.
Presentation Time ...
Earlier in the game, after being forced to bat first, South Africa posted a mammoth total on the board courtesy of a monster hundred from Heinrich Klaasen and a blistering 82 from David Miller while Rassie van der Dussen also registered a good half-century. Josh Hazlewood picked up a couple of wickets for Australia while Marcus Stoinis, Michael Neser, and Nathan Ellis got one each, but all of them were pretty expensive. While chasing, except for Alex Carey no other batter looked up for this big chase and ultimately they fell to a massive defeat.
South Africa, on the other hand, will be delighted with their bowling effort here. Lungi Ngidi set the tone for them with a couple of quick wickets and their pacers used the short ball to perfection to trouble the Aussies. Their fielder was top-notch as well and KG and QDK pulled off two stunning catches in the field. Ngidi was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets while Rabada ended up with three scalps. Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj chipped in with one each as well to seal a famous win for the hosts.
Australia could not really get going at the start as they lost David Warner and Mitchell Marsh quite early and then losing Travis Head with a wrist injury was another setback for them. Marnus Labuschagne and Marcus Stoinis got off to starts but could not really convert them. However, it was Alex Carey who fought a lone battle, he looked in good touch when he came on to bat and continued to attack the bowlers. He and Tim David tried to make a game out of this with a 72-run partnership but the latter fell on 38. Nathan Ellis played a few lusty blows but the lower middle order could not really contribute much. Carey was the last one to fall in a heartbreaking manner as he missed out on his century by just one run in the end.
WE ARE GOING TO THE DECIDER! South Africa have managed to register another dominating win over the Aussies by a huge 164-run margin. It all started with the Klaasen-Miller onslaught and the duo of Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada backed their batters brilliantly to level the series. Now, it is all to play for in the fifth and final ODI.
In over# 35
0W
2
1
0W
1
Kagiso Rabada 41/3(7.5)
34.5
W
OUT! CAUGHT! What drama at 99 for Alex Carey. Short ball doing the trick once again for South Africa. Kagiso Rabada bangs in short at the body line of the batter. Alex Carey looking to pull it away for a single, gets a glove on it and the ball flies to the left of Quinton de Kock who completes a full length diving catch to his left to get rid of the dancer man Alex Carey. Australia end their inning with that wicket on 252/9 with Travis Head injured and not in a condition to bat.
34.4
2
Slower bouncer at the batter. Alex Carey pulls it to the right of deep mid-wicket and runs a couple.
34.3
1
Just short at the batter. Josh Hazlewood drops it there off the backfoot and runs a single.
Josh Hazlewood comes out to the middle now.
34.2
W
CAUGHT-BEHIND! Kagiso Rabada strikes now! An excellent review from South Africa! Rabada bowls this on a good length and around off, Adam Zampa backs away and throws his bat at it, and manages to get the slightest of edges to the keeper where Quinton de Kock makes no mistake. There is a huge appeal for the catch, but turned down! Quinton de Kock looks confident and South Africa takes the review. UltraEdge shows a spike and the Proteas are celebrating. They are two wickets away from the win now.
34.1
1
Short and on leg, Alex Carey hooks it towards deep backward square leg where Gerald Coetzee lets it through but the batters only take a single.
In over# 34
2
1
1
1
1
1wd
4
Lungi Ngidi 51/4(8)
33.6
2
Fullish and on middle, Adam Zampa mistimes his slog high in the air over the bowler's head as it lands safely and the mid off fielder chases it and dives to keep it inside. Two runs taken.
33.5
1
Length again, on middle, Alex Carey heaves it towards deep mid-wicket for just one. He moves to 96 now.