Australia and South Africa admitted they are still nutting out power-play cricket after the Aussies’ dramatic five-run victory over the tourists at Bellerive Oval.

Australia couldn’t cash in on a batting power play – called in the 39th over – losing 2-23 during the five-over restriction of three fielders outside the inner-circle.

South Africa may have left theirs too late – calling it in the 45th over – and returning 1-54.

Australia skipper Ricky Ponting said his side struggled with idea of using the power play while he and Shaun Marsh were piling on a 135-run second-wicket partnership.

Ponting sent a message to the dressing room asking for feedback at that stage about taking the play, which would have drawn extra overs from top bowlers at time of Australia’s choosing.

“I think we need to think it through a little bit better and talk about it before the next game (in Sydney on Friday),” Ponting told reporters.

“In hindsight today it would have been the right decision to take it earlier.

“Common sense says the longer you hold it off the more wickets you will probably lose – toward the end of an innings.”

South Africa skipper Johan Botha said his brains trust will also mull the power play before Sydney.

“The last two games we’ve taken it quite late, that’s been our plan so far, I don’t know, I think we will have to chat about it before the next game,” Botha told reporters.

Both captains agreed AB de Villiers’s (44 off 62 balls) run-out in the 37th over was a turning point in the tight match.

It followed eight balls after the dismissal of Jacques Kallis (72 off 96 balls), at 3-145, ending their 93-run partnership and bringing two new batsmen to the crease.

Australia claimed the win after South Africa needed 17 runs off the last over.

Local hero Ben Hilfenhaus (2-60) restricted the Proteas to 11.

South African paceman Albie Morkel (11 no) batted bravely with a dislocated finger and swung freely at the death but he and wicketkeeper Mark Boucher (37 no) couldn’t quite finish the job.

Needing nine runs off the last three balls, South Africa fell just short of Australia’s 8-249 with 6-244.

The five-game series is now level at one game each, heading to Sydney on Friday.

© AAP 2012

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