Opener Adam Gilchrist smashed 88 runs from 66 deliveries on Sunday as Australia compiled a record target of 344 for six wickets on its way to a 57-run win over South Africa in a tri-series limited-overs international.
South Africa scored 287 for six in reply with Mark Boucher scoring 76 and Herschelle Gibbs adding 46.
Australia’s total was its highest against South Africa and the second-highest at the Sydney Cricket Ground in one-day internationals.
South Africa must win its final round-robin match against Sri Lanka on Tuesday at Hobart in order to qualify for the best-of-three finals series against Australia.
”We’re in really good shape for the finals and we’re really looking forward to it,” Australia captain Ricky Ponting said after the win.
Gilchrist reached his half-century in 29 balls as he and Simon Katich (11) put on an opening stand of 65 in 8,1 overs.
Andrew Symonds (7) was unable to repeat his 65 from Friday night’s 80-run win over South Africa, but Ponting breezed to an effortless 72.
The Australian captain gently pushed a catch off the bowling of spinner Johan Botha to mid-wicket at 203-4 in the 30th over.
Damien Martyn and Michael Clarke (27) added 60 for the fifth wicket and Martyn was run out from the final ball of the innings for 79 off 75 balls. Martyn added 81 runs for the sixth wicket with Mike Hussey (47 not out from 33 balls).
Symonds took 2-42 to lead the Australian bowling.
Boeta Dippenar (27), Justin Kemp (28) Ashwell Prince (25), Jacques Rudolph (31 not out) and Johan van der Wath (37 not out) all got starts for the Proteas. Van der Wath hit two fours and four sixes off 16 balls, giving the crowd of 35 36 some late
entertainment.
For the second successive match, Australia left out leading paceman Glenn McGrath, who announced on Friday his wife Jane was again battling cancer.
Cricket Australia released a statement on Sunday saying McGrath was making himself unavailable for the finals series, which starts in Adelaide on Friday. – Sapa-AP