Kirsten sinks Australia

DURBAN, APRIL 13. Gary Kirsten guided South Africa to a six- wicket win over Australia at Kingsmead as the host country shrugged off the absence of axed captain Hansie Cronje in the first of three limited-overs international cricket matches.

It was a triumphant start to the South African captaincy for Shaun Pollock, who led the side to victory on Wednesday over the World Cup champion in his hometown. Pollock was made captain on Tuesday when Cronje was fired after reportedly admitting he had taken money from an Indian bookmaker.

Kirsten, who was declared man of the match, made 97 off 126 balls, just 15 days after collapsing with what was diagnosed as a torn disc in his lower spine while batting against Pakistan in a tournament in Sharjah, and helped South Africa reach 241 for four with two overs to spare in reply to Australia's 240 for nine in 50 overs.

Kirsten put on 129 in a third-wicket partnership with Jacques Kallis (61) and a quickfire 60 for the fourth wicket with Jonty Rhodes (46 not out) before being bowled by a slow full toss by Brett Lee when he was three runs short of his 10th one-day international century, with South Africa needing 13 to win.

- AFP

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