Australia will be looking to recover their pride after humiliating losses to the South Africa in the opening three matches of this series. Join The Roar for live scores from the game and a live blog of the match, starting from 7pm (AEDT).
This tour was always going to be a test for the Australian side. As coach Darren Lehmann expressed in a press conference, Australia is currently playing without seven of its first choice one-day bowlers.
Younger bowlers earmarked for the future are not stepping up to the challenge and, quite frankly, it’s difficult to see many of these bowlers going on to forge an international career from here.
On a more positive note, the Australian batting line-up has stood up and shown his prowess. 372 is a great score even on the most bat-friendly wickets on the planet and it was really up to the bowling to make the most of the healthy target they were given to defend.
South Africa will be looking to make history – Australia have not lost 4 ODIs in a row since 2012 against England. With the Australian morale down, the Proteas have a prime opportunity to do this.
My player to watch is again Quinton de Kock. Australia have attempted to attack him verbally. He’s answered with very impressive knocks of 178 and 79. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do for the rest of the series and through to the Australian summer.
It’s really quite impossible to see anything but a comfortable victory to South Africa in Port Elizabeth – one of the slower grounds in the region. Australia look ready to go home and lick their wounds.
Join The Roar for live scores from the game and a live blog of the match, starting from 7pm (AEDT).
Doogs
Guest
I agree with you Andy. Shame about that. He could be an excellent captain
Andy
Guest
Warner has the same problem as Warne for me as far as a captain goes, probably would be a very very good captain and has a good cricketing brain but is too stupid for the job.
Doogs
Guest
Thanks Caitlin. Yes SA were superb particularly Abbott and Shamsi
Doogs
Guest
Warner could be captain of Australia at least in the short form. He makes a great captain. But Australian management of sporting teams is adopting a zero tolerance of bad boys. Look at the current selection of the Australian Rugby League team. I think that is fair enough. If Warner stops his sledging he could make a great captain. He has a great cricket brain and got results. Clarke was too aloof and not so close to the team. That is hardly a crime but it did him in. Is there an Aussie captain that is close to the team, does not sledge, does not pout and is gracious in winning or defeating. That will be hard to find
Caitlin Doyle
Roar Guru
That was an amazing performance by the South African bowling side. Kyle Abbott put on an absolutely magnificent display of fast bowing to take 4-40. This was helped by 2 wickets in 3 deliveries from Shamsi. This restricted Australia to 167. Whilst this was a slow wicket and tricky to bat on, it was never going to be enough and South Africa looked in complete control. It will be interesting to see whether this pair will put forward their case for the Test series in Australia in three weeks time. There wasn't much positive for the Australians, other than Chris Tremain, who bowled well and made an excellent 23 with the bat to get a sort of competitive total. we head to Cape Town with Australia looking at their first Whitewash in ODI cricket. It's been South Africa all series and the story was the same in Port Elizabeth today where they have won by 6 wickets in complete cruise control. Caitlin signing off here.
Doogs
Guest
I hope they do get fined. It is a poor reflection on Australian teams. I am backing Warner as a short form captain because I think he is successful as a captain and is much better than he was sledging wise. But this childishness does not help him. He nearly has it out of his game but not quite. Smith is better temperament wise but his pouting, hands on hips and glaring are not much better. The best temperament I have seen in recent times was from Taylor. He remained upbeat no matter what
Caitlin Doyle
Roar Guru
Riley Rossouw finishes the match with a boundary. 4-0 lead in the series and we head to Cape Town with Australia staring down the barrel of a whitewash.
Caitlin Doyle
Roar Guru
Heading upstairs to check for a snout at the bowlers end... he's safe
Caitlin Doyle
Roar Guru
A four to finish the over again... Just 5 to get now.
Caitlin Doyle
Roar Guru
A boundary to finish that Zampa over... Just 12 to win now.
Doogs
Guest
Wade has been great in the one dayers. His 50 today was excellent. His sweeping is spot on. But his sledging of the opposition when they are flogging us is really childish. It just looks stupid. The Aussies have been much better of late but this is just dumb.
Caitlin Doyle
Roar Guru
Just 18 runs to win for South Africa now... with 17 overs to go. I love some feisty behaviour as much as any punter, but for me, it just feels unnecessary from the Australians at this point. Fantastic form from the umpires here, stepping in before it gets out of hand. I suspect Wade and/or Warner might be getting a fine from the match referee after this game.
Caitlin Doyle
Roar Guru
David Warner keeps chirping in the ear or the Proteas. I know he's an aggressive character, but uneccessary when you're looking at being 4-0 in a series.
Caitlin Doyle
Roar Guru
10 runs and a wicked from that Mitch Marsh over. It's hard to see South Africa not getting these 26 runs from here... It's just a case of how quickly now.
Caitlin Doyle
Roar Guru
OUT, Du Plessis tried to pull another poor ball from Mitch Marsh and is caught in the deep by Head Poor Faf, he was clearly trying to knock the last 28 runs as quickly as possible. An outstanding knock from the South African Captain nonetheless.
Caitlin Doyle
Roar Guru
Gorgeous cover drive from du Plessis there, not even a bad ball from Mitch Marsh, straight to the fence.
Doogs
Guest
and them bring him on when the game is over. Same in every match. Does Smith not like him? Speculation of course but there is something weird going on
Caitlin Doyle
Roar Guru
Hit the shoe... Faf is safe, again.
Caitlin Doyle
Roar Guru
We're going upstairs for a review for a catch at first slip. There was a noise, but Wade doesn't believe it was bat.
Caitlin Doyle
Roar Guru
Du Plessis is looking i excellent touch now and is looking to knock these last 38 runs as quickly as possible. SA 130-3 after 29 overs.