South Africa edge past Australia in second ODI to level series

PerthSouth Africa struck back with a vengeance in the second oneday international against Australia at the WACA Ground in Perth on Sunday levelling the series with a threewicket winProteas skipper AB de Villiers had vowed his side would be seeking redemption after being beaten by 32 runs in the series opener on Friday His team backed those words with a superb bowling display as the home side were dismissed for just 154 in 414 overs on what appeared a good batting wicketSouth Africa overcame some anxious moments and reckless batting to edge to the victory target reaching 157 for seven in just 274 overs Paceman Josh Hazlewood was one bright light for the Australians with careerbest figures of 531Towering paceman Morne Morkel led the way for South Africa with 521 his second fivewicket haul in oneday internationals and careerbest figures in a manofthematch performance Morkel said the South Africans were much better with the ball on Sunday after conceding 300 runs on FridayWe put them under pressure more today he said On this wicket you need to go a touch fuller Its always nice when the ball is carrying and the keeper is catching it head high but you are actually just wasting energy For us it was important to find the right length which on the WACA wicket we found was a bit fuller By contrast standin Australian captain George Bailey was less than impressed with his sides battingThere were probably not that many dismissals where guys would say that ball was too good but it was a culmination of South Africa building pressure and our batters exploding a bit Bailey saidThe South Africans made an impact with the ball from the outset destroying the Australian top order to have the home side in deep trouble at 344 It was Morkel who struck the first blow with David Warner caught down the leg side by wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock for a duckWarner was initially given not out but replays showed clear contact with the glove and Nigel Llong overturned the initial decision Bailey and emerging allrounder Mitchell Marsh raised Australian hopes briefly when they added 58 for the fifth wicket before Bailey was brilliantly caught by a diving du Plessis from the bowling of Vernon Philander 116 for 25Bailey was captaining Australia in the absence of Michael Clarke who was ruled out of the remainder of the series with a recurrence of a left hamstring problem during his teams opening victory Marsh was the only Australian batsman to offer significant resistance compiling 67 from 88 ballsA contentious third umpire decision helped swing the game firmly back South Africas way as Australias middle order tried to rally after the poor start Australia were 1255 when Matthew Wade was given not out caught down the leg side by wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock from the bowling of Morkel but after lengthy deliberation the decision was overturnedMorkel struck again without addition of the score bowling Glenn Maxwell for a duck The giant South African quick then removed Mitchell Johnson caught behind for three to claim his fifth scalp for the innings as Australia slumped to 1298