Ntini's 6 wickets in 22 balls brought the world champions to their knees in a crushing victory for South Africa.
by Nick van der Leek
Newlands: Makhaya Ntini's performance is the best-ever one-day for a South African bowler, improving on Allan Donald's 6/23. Australia were all out for just 93 runs - their fourth lowest one-day total.
After winning the toss, South Africa elected to bat on a ground which favors the side batting first, at a rate of about 80%. The Aussies had to beat an impressive 289 runs with crucial contributions made by Herschelle Gibbs (66), Justin Kemp (51 not out) and Shaun Pollock (38 off 27 deliveries).
When the Australians came out to bat, Ntini immediately struck. At one stage the score stood at just 7 runs, with 4 wickets already taken. The damage was done. Watson put on the best performance for an Aussie batsman, at a mere 27 runs.
Andre Nel withered much of the rest of the line-up, taking 3/30, in 8 overs, and Ntini cleaned up what was left (including Watson), earning himself a place in the record books.
The third of five One Day Internationals is in Port Elizabeth on Sunday. The South Africans go in with a lead of 2-0.
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