Cricket: Lightning failed to strike twice for South Africa today as Australia overcame another potential powerplay roadblock to scrape home by five runs in the second one-day international at Bellerive Oval.
In an eerily similar situation to Friday night, the Proteas — chasing 250 to take a 2-0 series lead — required 60 runs from their final six overs when they initiated their batting powerplay.
But Mark Boucher, with 37 not out, and Albie Morkel, the South African hero from the MCG, nearly pulled off the impossible with an unbeaten whirlwind stand of 39 off only 19 balls.
With 41 required from the final three overs, they struck 15 and nine off the next two, bowled by Ben Hilfenhaus and Nathan Bracken, leaving an unlikely 17 off the final over to pinch victory.
Seven runs were still needed from the final two balls after Boucher slogged Hilfenhaus over mid-wicket for six but the Tasmanian paceman held his nerve on the final two balls.