AUSTRALIA-A registered a thrilling two-run win against South Africa-A in the final of the Zimbabwe A-Team Tri-Series in Harare, in a game that swung both ways and seemed to be heading South Africa’s way towards the end, before wickets off the last two balls sealed it for Australia. Scores: Australia-A 293 for 6 (Hughes 138, Warner 120, van der Merwe 3-58) beat South Africa-A 291 (Rudolph 90, van Jaarsveld 70, Marsh 4-56) by two runs.
Choosing to bat, Australia were off to a fine start, their openers David Warner and Philip Hughes putting on 206 in 37.3 overs.
Both openers completed centuries – with Hughes outscoring his partner in a run-a-ball 138 – but the rest of the line-up failed to build on the start, collectively adding only 31 runs as Australia finished with 293 for seven.
Roelof van der Merwe finished with the best figures, 3 for 58, though Justin Ontong was the most economical, going at just 3.60 runs per over in his 10.
South Africa’s chase began with a steady 68-run stand, the in-form Jacques Rudolph going on to score 90 before being run-out. After a mini-collapse – South Africa went from 163 for 3 to 175 for 6 – the chase seemed back on track with Vaughn van Jaarsveld, who scored 70, combining with Vernon Philander in a 78-run stand. The pair were amply aided by some undisciplined bowling from Australia, who gave away a generous 22 extras.
However, Mitchell Marsh removed both batsmen off consecutive balls, helping Australia get a foot in the door.
With South Africa needing three to win from two balls with two wickets in hand, Marsh came out on top again, bowling Rory Kleinveldt off the penultimate delivery and running out Rusty Theron in combination with Tim Paine to finish with a dot ball, South Africa ending on 291. (ESPN Cricinfo)