Rhodes tops scoring as South Africa struggles

Lower order half-centuries from one-day specialist Jonty Rhodes and captain Shaun Pollock rescued South Africa as it finished with nine for 215 in 50 overs in the day-night match against Australia A at Adelaide Oval today.

Pollock won the toss and elected to bat first on an extremely hot day, but Australia A opening bowlers Jason Gillespie and Nathan Bracken made quick inroads into the South African top order.

Bracken struck with the first ball of his second over, when Gary Kirsten (four) spooned him to Stuart Clark at mid-on, who had to dive forward to take the catch.

Five balls later star batsman Jacques Kallis was run out for one, attempting a foolish single when partner Herschelle Gibbs dabbed the ball straight to point. Mike Hussey grabbed it and hit the stumps from side on to leave the Proteas two for 13 after four overs.

Gillespie, who was the best of the bowlers with a brilliant opening spell of one for eight from seven overs, had Neil McKenzie (four) caught in the slips in the 11th over.

Bracken had Gibbs caught behind for 22 and when Stuart MacGill claimed the wicket of Mark Boucher with his second ball of the match in the 24th over, South Africa was in serious trouble at five for 79.

But Rhodes (69 from 97 balls) and Pollock (56 from 76 balls) put on a 94-run sixth wicket stand at five per over.

They scored a steady stream of runs off the bowling of Clark, who was the least effective bowler, conceding 29 runs from his wicketless six over spell, and spinners MacGill and Mark Higgs.

Rhodes, who has retired from Test cricket, flew out from South Africa specifically for the one-day series.

Australia A captain and part-time left armer Darren Lehmann eventually brought himself into the attack, and had Rhodes caught on the mid-wicket fence in his second over to break the partnership.

Lehmann then brought fellow part-timer Simon Katich into the attack, and the move proved extremely fruitful.

Katich picked up three for 21 in his four over spell at the end of the innings, catching Pollock from his own bowling, trapping Lance Klusener lbw and having Charl Langeveldt stumped.

Surprisingly, Lehmann and Katich finished with four for 33 between them from six unremarkable looking overs.

Bracken had two for 28 from eight overs and Gillespie one for 28 from 10.