South Africa and Australia have been involved in some dramatic ODIs over the years. The teams were at it again on March 12, 2006 at the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg as a plethora of records were set including the first time in ODI history a team had crossed the 400-run mark; the highest successful run chase in an ODI and the highest match aggregate (872-13 in 99.5 overs) in an ODI.
In a thriller of a match, Australia became the first team in ODIs to cross the 400-run mark when they racked up 434-4 in the finale of the five-match series at Johannesburg. South Africa led by Herschelle Gibbs and Graeme Smith responded to the challenge in style as the Proteas won the match and the series by one wicket and one ball to spare. Not surprisingly, this match is known as the greatest ODI ever. (Photo by Hamish Blair/Getty Images)
Australia captain Ricky Ponting elected to bat; and his opening batsmen Adam Gilchrist and Simon Katich justified that decision as they took the attack to South Africa's bowlers from the outset and set the tone for the rest of the innings
The opening stand of 97 in 15.2 overs was broken by Roger Telemachus when he had Gilchrist caught by Andrew Hall at mid on; Gilchrist hit nine boundaries in his 44-ball 55.
Katich and Ricky Ponting then got together as they continued to dominate South Africa's attack with the Australia skipper being the more aggressive partner.
The left-handed Katich may have had a strike rate below 100, but he played his part in the partnership with Ponting as he rotated the strike and also found the boundaries at regular intervals.
The astonishing attack launched by Ponting on South Africa's bowlers was a flashback to his astonishing century against India in the 2003 World Cup final at the same ground; as Australia retained their title
Makhaya Ntini broke the 119-run partnership for the second wicket between Katich (79 from 90 balls) and Ponting when he had the former caught by Telemachus at third man.
Ponting played 34 dot balls; ran 42 singles, eight twos; hit 13 boundaries and nine sixes (three of Makhaya Ntini and four off Jacques Kallis) as he played one of the best innings in the history of one-day cricket.
Andrew Symonds, who hit three boundaries and a six in his 13-ball 27* rounded off Australia's imposing total of 434 for 4.
South Africa captain Graeme Smith was joined by Herschelle Gibbs at the fall of Dippenaar's wicket and the pair added 187 from only 121 balls for the second wicket to send shivers through Australia's fielders and instill confidence in their dressing room. Smith hit 13 boundaries and two sixes in his 55-ball 90 before he was caught by Michael Hussey at deep wicket off Michael Clarke's bowling.
Herschelle Gibbs scored his 50 from 46 deliveries, but then stepped on the accelerator as he hit boundaries and sixes almost at will as South Africa kept pace with the asking rate. At the 25-over mark of the chase, South Africa was 229 for 2.
Just when it looked that Gibbs could be the first batsman to breach the 200-run mark in ODIs, he was well caught by Brett Lee at long-off from Andrew Symonds's bowling. Gibbs hit 21 boundaries and seven sixes in his 111-ball 175; and at the time of his dismissal South Africa still needed 136 runs to win from 18 overs.
Kallis and Mark Boucher ensured South Africa would stay on course with their 28-run partnership in 35 deliveries
South Africa needed seven runs to win with two wickets in hand from the last over of the match bowled by Brett Lee. Boucher took a single from the first delivery, and when Andrew Hall hit the second ball for a boundary over mid wicket the match seemed to be in South Africa's grasp. But, with only two runs required to win, Hall had a brain fade and was caught by Clarke at mid-on.
The equation was then two runs to win with one wicket from three
In a match that saw 872 runs scored in 99.5 overs, bowlers from both teams were bound to have unflattering figures. But, it was Australia's Mick Lewis with 10-0-113-0, who bowled his way into the record books for the most runs conceded in an ODI.
South Africa wicket-keeper Mark Boucher told Sky Sports after the win: "It's one of my best moments in cricket so far. We always knew we'd be up against it. We tried to keep it simple, we knew we had to get a good start and Herschelle (Gibbs) and Graeme (Smith) did fantastically well. It was something special to watch. It's fantastic. I'm lost for words."
Herschelle Gibbs said he was elated at his own knock and South Africa's win given the daunting target they had to chase. "I don't know where that innings came from; I don't think I've played better.
Australia captain Ricky Ponting was understandably shocked by his team's inability to defend 434 on the board, but was full of praise for Herschelle Gibbs's 175. "Herschelle was out in the 32nd over for 175 - that's amazing batting. We obviously bowled very, very poorly, but they certainly played exceptionally well and deserved the win," Ponting said.
The nail-biting victory gave South Africa a 3-2 win in the five-match series. South Africa had won the first two matches by six wickets (D/L method) and 196 runs respectively; but Australia fought back to square the series with a 24-run victory at Port Elizabeth and a 1-wicket win at Durban. South Africa clinched the series as they emerged victorious in this world record match.
Curtsy: Yahoo Cricket
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