South Africa, Australia
in thrilling tie

Australia's Jimmy Maher produced a superb 43 off 32 balls to force a tie in a nailbiting third one-day international against South Africa on Wednesday.

Australia went into the final over needing 11 runs to claim a dramatic victory against a South African side that seemed in a position to finally turn around their losing run in the series.

South Africa captain Shaun Pollock had won the toss and elected to bat, with the home side reaching 259 for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted 50 overs.

Australia were in trouble on 176 for four wickets in their reply before Maher, whose 95 in the second one dayer in Pretoria gave Australia a 45 run victory there, produced another superb innings to see Australia reach 259 for nine.

Australia were denied victory, and a 3-0 lead in the seven-match series, as Nathan Hauritz was able to claim only one run off the final ball of a costly over bowled by Jacques Kallis.

Earlier, Jacques Kallis made a stubborn 71 and played a dominant role in two major partnerships.to help guide South Africa to 259 for seven.

He put on 78 with Neil McKenzie for the third wicket and then 75 for the fourth with Jonty Rhodes before being eventually caught behind by Adam Gilchrist, trying to pull a delivery from fast bowler Jason Gillespie.

Kallis's runs came off 101 balls, including four fours and a six.

Rhodes made 83 off 74 balls, with six fours and a six. But the South African innings was built around Kallis after South Africa struggled early on after electing to bat.

The home side were 30 for two after eight overs as Boeta Dippenaar was dismissed for seven runs and Herschelle Gibbs for 10.

Kallis and McKenzie steadied the innings before McKenzie was dismissed for 37. Kallis then combined with Rhodes, their 75 coming off 73 balls. Rhodes reached his half-century off 44 balls.

Scoreboard

Mail Cricket Editor