India need 268 runs to win series against South Africa
By IANSSunday, January 23, 2011
CENTURION - Hashim Amla struck an unbeaten century, but India managed well to restrict South Africa to 250/9 in 46 overs in the rain-curtailed fifth and final ODI here Sunday. India will have to chase 268 runs as per Duckworth-Lewis calculations to clinch the decider.
Amla, who has been in brilliant form in the series, was again pivotal to South African batting scoring 116 runs off 132 balls with nine boundaries.
Amla added 97-runs with Morne Van Wyk (56), laying the foundation of a big total, after the fall of captain Graeme Smith, who was dismissed by Yuvraj Singh (2-45).
Yuvraj also removed Ab de Villiers caught by Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Amla and Jean Paul Duminy (35) then shared a 102-run stand for the fourth wicket. In between, rain stopped play for more than an hour with South Africa at 226/3 in 42 overs and Amla and Duminy looking set to make the most of the slog overs.
However, after resumption with rain shortening the innings by four overs, fortunes changed the way it has throughout the engrossing series.
Indian bowlers fought back in the final four overs as South Africa lost six wickets for the addition of 19 runs.
Munaf Patel (3-50) was the pick of the Indian attack. He dismissed Duminy caught and bowled in the first over after resumption and followed it up snaring Faf du Plessis (8) and Johan Botha (2) in his next over.
The last over saw South Africa lose three wickets. Zaheer Khan (2-47) removed Robin Peterson while Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel were run out. Amla was stranded at the other end.
