Australia have had to use the only players left in their squad that aren't injured in this game. With Ponting getting an abdominal strain during net practice. Symonds is still out and Stuart Clark has a rib problem. Australia were forced to go into the game with one batsmen short so Shane Watson is batting at six with five specialist bowlers in the side.

In the first innings Australia lost early wickets through Gilchrist(14), Katich(2) and Martyn(1) not really troubling the score card. However the ship was settled by Clarke(53) and Hussey(56) and now the tail is batting in the last few overs. Currently 227-8 (46.4 overs).

Game reduced to 47 overs per side

BBC Link here.

__________________
Watch this for a perfect about.
James May

After going off the pitch for a rain delay South Africa came back out and wrapped the game up via some help from D/L. Grame Smith played a superb knock for the South Africans to finish 119* which is the highest score for a South African against Australia.

__________________
Watch this for a perfect about.
James May

yay.... smith and company have done it... the aussies have just lost their first one dayer in south africa.. yes asome of their key players ponting and ymonds were missing but S.A have done a brillant job!!!

__________________

Well done SA...yes they gave our aussies a touch up......pity about the umpires 'old' eyes in not giving smith out to a obvious LBw..but that cricket i guess.....where is that ump from?........bowlers Lewis and Johnson are just not up to international standards and the SA's took em apart..what are the selectors thinking?......where are gillespie. Kaspa or even Bichel..at least these guys are proven bowlers....sending these other pups to play a tough SA side is maddness..also Katich has given plenty to the auusie side ..but leaving P Jaques out of the touring side...defies understanding.

H

I would agree with you on Katich. Apaprt from scoring a century against the weary Lankans, he has not done anything worthwhile to justify his selection. Jaques deserves to be given a break.

As for the Aussie bowling, it is the sign of things to come post-McGrath. Something needs to be done urgently baout this bowling attack. Going back to Gillispie, Kaspa and Bichel may help the team to win in the short-term, but a long-term solution is required.

As for the loss in the 1st ODI, I am sure the retun of Ponting, Symonds and Clark will make a lot of difference.

Well the Aussies had to go in to that game with only the reamaining players of their squad. The batting line up was severly hampered and Australia played five speacialist bowlers. Watson is seen as an all rounder but with the bat it's not like he a top order batsmen and his lack of bowling (a mere 2 overs) shows the lack of confidence they have in him.

With the return of Symonds and now the inclusion of Jacques in the squad, (Ponting still unfit). I would go for this side.

A C Gilchrist
S M Katich
P Jacques
D R Martyn
A Symonds
M E K Hussey
M J Clarke
B Lee
N W Bracken
M L Lewis
G B Hogg

__________________
Watch this for a perfect about.
James May

Good selection bro..but lewis.....please......I have watched him bowl in the domestic season..and a couple of int's..but to be candid m8..i see NOTHING that makes me think this guy is up to playing for OZ....i may be proved wrong ..but at this point in time..he just dont cut the mustard for me...

H

I must say Lewis hasn't impressed me much.Surprised there isn't a better option than him around.

Symonds won't be playing the next game and Ponting is a huge doubt also. However Stuart Clark is back and I would straight swap him with Mick Lewis. I think Watson would be put in place of Symonds.

__________________
Watch this for a perfect about.
James May