Albie Morkel blazed South Africa to an exhilarating three-wicket victory in the final over of the first one-day international against Australia at the seething cauldron of the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.
Morkel scored 40 not out off just 18 balls to seize control of a South African innings that had recovered from a hesitant start and then lost its way again. The left-hander came to the crease just as Australia were busy bulldozing their way through the middle-order, four wickets falling for eight runs to leave South Africa needing 51 off six overs.
Morkel displayed his usual power, but also some skilful manoeuvering of the ball as he collected four fours and a six to race South Africa home in a thrilling spectacle.
Chasing 272 for victory, South Africa had slipped to 90 for three in the 19th over, left-arm spinner Michael Clarke having just ended Jacques Kallis’s fluent 41, but form man JP Duminy and the experienced Neil McKenzie produced just the partnership that was called for — a controlled stand of 123 in 22.3 overs.
However Australia came up with the answer as the new-ball bowlers returned. Nathan Bracken, just medium pace but the premier limited-overs bowler in the world with his baffling array of variations, ended Duminy’s innings when the left-hander clipped a slower ball to midwicket. Duminy’s 71 off 93 balls was a prime example of an artist at work, not including a single boundary but with superb placement and strokeplay.
Ben Hilfenhaus then provided the other wicket Australia needed — McKenzie also being caught at midwicket — but not before he had steadied the innings with his cool 63 off 80 balls.
But Australia had no answer to Morkel, who had the equipment and temperament to see South Africa ome from a pressure situation.
Opener Shaun Marsh had earlier anchored the Australian innings to 271 for eight with his 97-ball 79, while Ricky Ponting (46) and David Hussey (52) were the other main contributors.
South Africa’s fielding was poor, with several run outs missed and no fewer than three catches going down.
Vaughn van Jaarsveld had a particularly forgettable ODI debut, putting down both Ponting and Hussey, but the visitors had enough experience to prevent Australia running away. Jacques Kallis was particularly impressive with the ball, none for 35 in 10 overs being a heck of an effort just as the hosts were looking to accelerate.
Hussey whipped five fours in his 52 off 50 balls before he was bowled by Morkel to prevent him causing even more damage at the death.
Morkel finished with two wickets, as did brother Morne and testing spinner Johan Botha, but Albie was meant to contribute even greater things with the bat, in his usual laidback manner, making it look as easy as drinking a cup of tea.