Australia chasing 289 for victory

After a sedate start where the tourists cruised along at four per over for the first half of the innings, the Proteas upped the tempo and attacked the Australia bowlers, opener Hashim Amla falling just short of a century when he was caught behind on 97.

Amla received plenty of support, laying the foundation for the total through a 118-run partnership with AB de Villers (60), before the unbeaten JP Duminy fired off a classy innings at the death, scoring 60 off 42 deliveries as the Proteas finished on 288 for six.

In the last match of their Australian tour, the Proteas endured an uncertain start that saw Herschelle Gibbs (seven) and Neil McKenzie (10) lose their wickets cheaply.

But the elegant Amla stood firm throughout, producing an almost chanceless knock as he flicked off his pads with ease and closed in on scoring the first century by any player this series.

However, in the 41st over, Amla fell to James Hopes (three for 44) three runs shy of his ton, the batsman getting an outside edge which was well taken by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

The confident South Africans, having wrapped up the series 3-1 through an eight-wicket win in Adelaide last Sunday, did not falter and used their final batting powerplay to maximum advantage, plundering 53 runs from the five overs.

Mitchell Johnson was the major victim, going for 29 runs in the powerplay, including one over where Duminy treated him with contempt, hitting him for 20 as South Africa laid down the challenge to Australia once again.