Record breaking Aussies win last ball thriller

Date

3/8/2016 6:36:00 PM

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

A record partnership between David Warner and Glenn Maxwell spurred Australia to a last-ball victory in the second one-day international against South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium on Sunday.

Australia's win by five wickets levelled the three-match series to set up a decider in Cape Town on Wednesday. Set a daunting 205 to win Australia were in deep trouble at 32 for three after 5.4 overs. But Warner (77) and Maxwell (75) thrashed the bowlers in a world record fourth wicket stand of 161 off 87 balls. "They batted with great composure and played some great cricket shots" said Australian captain Steve Smith. "They summed up the situation really well."

South African captain Faf du Plessis admitted: "That partnership blew us away."

Du Plessis added: "There are small margins when two teams are playing good cricket. There were one or two things in the field that we could have done better. Two full tosses towards the end cost us."

Both full tosses by Chris Morris and Dale Steyn were called no-balls giving the batsmen free hits.

There was a twist in the tail though as Maxwell was caught off the fifth ball of the 19th over and Warner was yorked by Kagiso Rabada off the first ball of the final over. James Faulkner and Mitchell Marsh got their side home to set up a series decider in Cape Town on Wednesday.

Two runs were needed off the last ball and Marsh was able to hit the ball past Rabada for the winning runs.

Man of the match Warner made 77 off 40 balls with six fours and five sixes while Maxwell's career-best 75 was scored off 43 balls with seven fours and three sixes. Du Plessis anchored an aggressive South African batting performance hitting 79 off 41 balls in a total of 204 for seven after they were sent in to bat. Left-arm seamer Faulkner was outstanding for Australia taking three for 28 in four overs while most of his team-mates took some heavy punishment.

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