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Port Elizabeth: South Africa win the series 3-1, Steyn is really a man on a mission today. Three successive wins have handed South Africa the series here.
Australia were in the hunt with the good start they got from Clarke and Haddin, who added 129 in just 20.4 overs. But four wickets in fairly quick succession, all to spinners turned the tide in favour of South Africa. RE van der Merwe was the star for them with the ball, taking three wickets 3 for 46, including vice captain Clarke and Michael Hussey.
Ponting started off slowly but got into his groove a little too late with five wickets down. He took four boundaries off an over from Steyn in the fourth powerplay but fell off the last ball, proving decisive in the outcome. Hopes tried to resist, but Steyn came back well to clean up the tail and finish with 4 for 44.
Africa were inserted after losing the toss but they made good use of it and scored a monumental 317 for six. They were under the hammer after Australia got off to a good start but the spinners bowled very well to make sure that Australia do not run away with the game. Then there was a mini scare thanks to Ponting's ballistics but it was too late and too little. The 5th game is dead now but Ponting and Co. will play for pride.
Gibbs is the Man of the Match for his tremendous 21st hundred. The fifth and final ODI in Johannesburg on Friday April 17.
Gibbs hit 110 (116b, 9x4, 2x6) as South Africa made 317 for six after being sent in to bat on a slow pitch.
Gibbs and De Villiers 84 (74b, 6x4, 3x6) put on 136 off 123 balls for the third wicket in a partnership filled with sparkling strokes and audacious running between wickets.
Dale Steyn was the star with the ball, claiming four for 44, and was given good support by the spinners as the visitors were dismissed for 256 in pursuit of 318.
Brad Haddin, Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting all made half-centuries, but it was not enough as they fell well short.
Brief Score: South Africa 317/6 (HH Gibbs 110, AB de Villiers 84, SM Harwood 2-57, MG Johnson 2-59) beat Australia 256 (BJ Haddin 78, RT Ponting 53, MJ Clarke 50, DW Steyn 4-44, RE Merwe 3-46) by 61-runs.
