Cricket: Cronje ensures South Africa keep upper hand

Australia 165 all out South Africa 170-3 South Africa win by 7 wickets

South Africa gained a psychological edge before this week's one-day World Series final by handing Australia a dismissive seven-wicket hiding at the WACA Ground in Perth yesterday.

The visitors overhauled Australia's modest total of 165 all out in 48.2 overs with ease, reaching their target in fitting fashion with a six over cover point from their captain, Hansie Cronje. They had 130 balls to spare.

Australia's cause was not helped by their one-day captain, Steve Waugh, failing with the bat for the sixth consecutive innings since taking over the job from Mark Taylor this season. He went for a first-ball duck to Allan Donald, leaving his tally of runs to just 12 in six innings.

In contrast, South Africa's top-order batsmen dominated Australia's inexperienced bowling attack in the last round-robin meeting between the two teams before the start of the best-of-three matches final in Melbourne on Friday.

In contrast to Waugh, Cronje, whose side have beaten Australia four times in the competition, was in fine form. He scored 39 from only 25 balls.