Australia 'A' completely overshadow South Africa 'A'

Australia `A' completely overshadowed South African `A' at Centurion today, winning by the biggest margin so far in the series, seven wickets, and ten overs to spare.

Winning the toss and batting in what appeared to be a perfect morning to bowl on, the South Africans were once again let down by a top order that has just not switched on this series.

Some lusty blows at the end of the innings restored some face but the locals still got bowled out inside the 50 overs for 193 with Ashwell Prince scoring 44 and Andrew Hall getting 38. Steve Elworthy waded in with a 27 and the next highest was extras with 25.

The Australians only lost three wickets in their chase with Ryan Campbell once again going cheaply and Simon Katich getting nine. Justin Langer with 61 was the only other Australian to lose his wicket. Greg Blewett, unbeaten on 84, and Michael Clarke, not out 22, seeing the team home with 10.2 overs to spare.

Robin Peterson was the choice of the South African bowlers with Elworthy giving ample support. This however is not the department that the South Africans are lacking in. Somewhere the selectors are going to have to come up with a solution to the failing top order.

Mfuneko Ngam bowled with some pace and could feel slightly unlucky giving away three fours from inside edges that could just as easily have gone into the stumps. He did however leave the field after taking a bad fall on his knee running a ball down on the boundary.

The South African selectors have left Gary Kirsten out of the squad for the next two matches

The next match is at the Wanderers on Wednesday morning.