Australia have suffered another concerning batting collapse in the one-day tri-series final in Harare with Dale Steyn and South Africa’s quicks making their mark.
Losing the toss for the fifth consecutive time this tour, Australia were sent into bat and had flashbacks to the Zimbabwe loss, as they found themselves struggling to a total of 9-217 from their 50 overs.
Proteas spearhead Steyn (4-35) managed to get the ball to reverse swing and brought Australia’s innings to its knees in the 29th over when he removed Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell in successive balls.
If it wasn’t for James Faulkner (40 off 37) and Mitchell Starc (28 not out) combining for the only 50-run partnership of the innings for the ninth wicket, Australia would have had nothing to bowl at.
Steyn was clubbed for three successive sixes by Mitchell Marsh when the two teams last met on Tuesday, but the world-class quick came back with a vengeance with the trophy on the line.
Finch was 54 and Australia looking steady at 3-115 before Steyn got one to reverse and knock over the opener’s stumps.
Then the very next delivery Steyn fired a 145km/h bullet down to rap Maxwell on the pads plumb lbw, an almost unplayable delivery to get straight up.
“Reverse swing in the 28th over with 2x white balls. This means it’s really the 14th over,” tweeted Australian captain Michael Clarke from home.
“Hopefully we get it to swing as well.”
Wayne Parnell clean bowled danger man Marsh (27) to claim his second wicket, before Steyn returned to fire Brad Haddin in the 37th over and leave Australia reeling at 7-137.
Steyn’s first victim was Phil Hughes, who smashed one straight to AB de Villiers at short cover and put Australia under early strain on a tough, two-paced batting wicket at 1-25.
Aaron Phangiso took a quality catch over his head on the boundary off Morne Morkel to send big-hitting Australian Mitchell Johnson back to the pavilion.
It’s Australia’s second devastating collapse of the series, after folding to 9-209 against Zimbabwe in the historic defeat to the minnow nation last Sunday.
South Africa skipper de Villiers had no hesitation in choosing to send Australia in, even though the Proteas failed to chase down 282 on Tuesday.
Australia can leave Zimbabwe with the world No.1 ODI ranking in check if they topple the Proteas, however Johnson and company are going to need to be at their very best.
Fast bowler Kane Richardson was ruled out for Australia with a back problem, replaced by Faulkner.
