Morkel stars as Aussies skittled for 154

Emerging Australian star Mitchell Marsh produced a defiant knock, but Morne Morkel’s heroics with the ball put South Africa well and truly in the box seat in Sunday’s one-day clash at the WACA Ground.

Morkel snared career-best figures of 5-21 to help skittle Australia for 154 in 41.4 overs, leaving the Proteas well placed to square the series at 1-1.

Marsh entered the fray with Australia in deep trouble at 4-34 and the 23-year-old saved his side from total disaster with a mature knock of 67 off 88 balls.

However, the 23-year-old received little help from his teammates, with high-profile batsmen David Warner, Shane Watson, Aaron Finch, Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell all failing to fire.

Morkel was a menace throughout the innings.

The 30-year-old speedster started the rot by snaring Warner for a duck in the first over of the day.

And by the time he had added Smith, Wade, Maxwell and Mitchell Johnson to his tally, Australia were 8-129 and no chance of getting close to the 8-300 they posted just two days earlier.

Dale Steyn was surprisingly overlooked for new-ball duties, but the tactical move worked a treat as Vernon Philander and Morkel ruffled Australia’s top order in the 30-degree heat.

Morkel snared danger man Warner following a successful review that clearly showed the batsman had gloved the ball behind, with Quinton de Kock doing well to hold onto the diving catch.

Philander was unlucky not to snare a wicket during an opening four-over spell that cost just three runs.

But the pressure he created proved crucial, allowing medium-pacer Farhaan Behardien to strike next when he removed Watson LBW for 11.

At 3-27, Smith had the chance to make a hero of himself after replacing injured skipper Michael Clarke in the side.

But a rash pull brought about his downfall, gifting Morkel his second wicket.

Stand-in skipper George Bailey (25) and Marsh steadied the ship with a 58-run stand.

Bailey was dropped four times during his match-winning knock of 70 in Friday’s 32-run win over the Proteas.

But he wasn’t afforded the same luxury on Sunday, with Faf du Plessis taking a sharp catch low to the ground at mid-on to send Bailey packing.

At 5-92, Marsh kept plugging along, but his teammates failed to come along for the ride as Morkel continued his rampage.

Marsh struck some lusty blows at the death, but he was last-man out when he clipped Steyn to short fine leg.

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