Stage set for cracker final

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Durban - All eyes will be on Centurion on Sunday when India and South Africa battle for glory in the final one-day international after the Proteas levelled the series in Port Elizabeth.

South Africa beat the Indians by 48 runs on the Duckworth/Lewis method in the fourth ODI at Axxess DSL St George's on Friday after rain interrupted the game.

The Proteas posted a total of 265/7 in their allotted overs after winning the toss and electing to bat.

According to the calculations based on the Duckworth/Lewis method, India came short at 142/6 after facing 32.5 overs.

JP Duminy came to South Africa's rescue with his 71 off 72 balls (not out) after the Protea's middle-order lost four quick wickets, with the scorecard then reading 118 for five.

The South African's poor judgement at the crease resulted in three run-outs, including Hashim Amla, who scored 64 off 69 balls.

Faf du Plessis (1) and Robin Peterson (31) were also run out, while the only other significant contribution to the host's innings came from Johan Botha with his 44 runs.

India, on the back off two glorious wins, got off to a disastrous start, losing their first wicket in the second over when Rohit Sharma was caught at backward point for just a single by Duminy off a Lonwabo Tsotsobe ball.

India were three for 49 when Tsotsobe struck again to trap Parthiv Patel lbw and Botha snapped Yuvraj Sighn's wicket for 12 runs.

Virat Kohli (not out on 87) and Suresh Raina steadied the Indian innings with their 63-run partnership.

South Africa bounced back after quickly snatching the wickets of Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Yusuf Pathan for two runs each.

With the rain refusing to stay away, the game ended in South Africa's favour, with the series going down to the wire.

India will be looking for their first ever series win on South African soil, while the Proteas will hope for a much needed morale boost ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup next month.