Rhodes derails Australia

Waugh is bowled by Kallis for 62

VB Triangular Series (Melbourne): South Africa 199-6 (48.3 overs) beat Australia 198

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Australia slipped to their second defeat in the VB Triangular Series as South Africa claimed a four-wicket win in the day-night clash at the MCG.

Jonty Rhodes played a patient, intelligent innings of 43 not out after Jacques Kallis and Shaun Pollock had excelled with the ball, taking three wickets each.

South Africa were also exceptional in the field, taking two crucial wickets with run outs.

Shane Warne bowled 10 overs for just 19 runs and Adam Gilchrist took four catches behind the stumps, but South Africa were always in control.

Ricky Ponting on his way to 51 off 75 balls

Despite half centuries from Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh, the home side were prevented from cutting loose by a disciplined fielding performance from the tourists.

Australia, without the suspended Glenn McGrath and injured Brad Williams, made four changes to the side that lost to New Zealand on Friday.

In came Jason Gillespie and Andy Bichel while Andrew Symonds was recalled at the expense of Ian Harvey, and Mark Waugh was rested and replaced by Matty Hayden.

Steve Waugh once again won the toss and opted to bat on another fast and pacy MCG wicket.

But they lost a wicket on the first ball of the day, Gilchrist edging a wide Pollock delivery straight into the hands of Allan Donald at third man.

Wickets started falling all too regularly, however - including Michael Bevan, brilliantly run out by Makhaya Ntini off his own bowling.

Ponting and Steve Waugh threatened to build a promising partnership, but a brilliant piece of fielding from Rhodes accounted for Ponting for 51, again run out.

Shaun Pollock celebrates dismissing Hayden

And when Waugh was bowled by a Kallis yorker, the Australian innings began to crumble.

Bichel at least struck 17 off 15 balls to help his side set a target they could defend.

But they fell two runs short of 200 when Damien Martyn found Neil McKenzie in the deep.

Herschelle Gibbs and Gary Kirsten gave South Africa a superb start with some crisp cover driving.

Gilchrist's dismal day continued when he dropped Gibbs in the first over, and the pair put on 51 for the first wicket in less than 10 overs.

Catches

Both openers fell to Gilchrist catches, and the wicket-keeper then took a superb one to remove Kallis for just six off Gillespie.

When McKenzie, moments after hitting Symonds for six, was out mis-pulling Warne, Lance Klusener came in to hit a rapid 18, including consecutive drives for six and four off Bichel.

With 12 still needed, Mark Boucher fell to a fine Symonds catch in the deep off Brett Lee, but Pollock and Rhodes made light of the pressure to take their side to victory with nine balls remaining.

Having lost to New Zealand on Friday in the first game of the series, Australia need to pick up the pieces fast if they are to make the final.

Australia: Steve Waugh (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn, Michael Bevan, Andrew Symonds, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Andrew Bichel, Ian Harvey (12th man).

South Africa: Shaun Pollock (captain), Herschelle Gibbs, Gary Kirsten, Jacques Kallis, Neil McKenzie, Jonty Rhodes, Mark Boucher, Lance Klusener, Nicky Boje, Makhaya Ntini, Allan Donald, Justin Ontong (12th man).

Umpires: S J Davies and S J A Taufel.