Top 5 ODI matches between South Africa and Australia

#1 Australia tour of South Africa, 5th ODI: South Africa v Australia at Johannesburg, Mar 12, 2006

In a vote by the International Cricket Council (ICC) a couple of years ago, this particular match between Australia and South Africa was voted as the best ODI ever in the history of cricket.

7 years after the heartbreak of 1999, South African fans could say that they had got their revenge in this thriller of a match. A total of 872 runs were scored in this game, making it the highest match aggregate in ODIs, going past the previous highest of 693, made by India and Pakistan at Karachi in 2004.

In the final ODI of the 5 match series between the two sides in 2006, Australia were looking to secure an incredible comeback and win the series 3-2, after initially being 2-0 down.

After winning the toss, Australia got off to a great start thanks to a quickfire 55 by Adam Gilchrist. Ricky Ponting produced the innings of his life. He went on a rampage as he pummelled the South African bowlers all around the park in his magnificent innings of 163 runs off just 105 balls, which included nine humongous sixes. Mike Hussey was in no mood to slow things down as he scored 81 runs off just 51 balls. In the end, Australia managed a mighty total of 434 runs which turned out to be the highest score ever in an ODI.

Australia must have thought that their record would not be touched for many years to come, but South Africa had other ideas in mind. Despite losing a wicket in the very first over, Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs showed no signs of slacking off as they punished the Australian bowlers. Australia had no clue what had struck them. Smith departed after an incredible knock of 90 runs which came off just 55 balls.

If Graeme Smith was fiery, Gibbs was flawless. He continued to take the attack to the bowlers as he hurtled to 150 not out from just 100 balls, and brought up the landmark with his fifth six of the innings, and the 21^st of the match. He bettered Ponting’s innings as he scored a stupendous knock of 175 runs off 111 balls. When he was dismissed, South Africa required 136 runs in a little less than 19 overs.

Useful contributions by Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher led to South Africa nearing the target of 434, but Australia kept sneaking back in by taking wickets at regular intervals.

What an incredible way to wrap up the series!

In the end, it all came down to the final over, just as it had done at Edgbaston all those years ago. Brett Lee had seven runs to defend, and South Africa had two wickets in hand. Andre Hall smashed the second ball of the over for a four, and South Africa just needed 2 runs off 3 balls. The ghosts of 1999 came back to haunt Hall as he scooped the next ball to mid-on. The Australians rejoiced. It was a heart in mouth moment as Hall walked off and Makhaya Ntini came to take guard.

Australia seemed confident of causing another upset against their formidable rivals, but Ntini was up to the task as he calmly took a single off the fourth ball. With 1 needed off 2 balls, Boucher kept his nerve and took the Proteas to an unforgettable victory by smashing the penultimate ball for a four, causing an eruption at The Wanderers.

Australia’s record had lasted just for a few hours, as South Africa banished the ghosts of 1999 and provided fans around the world with an adventure of a lifetime.

South Africa 438 for 9 (Gibbs 175, Smith 90, Boucher 50*) beat Australia 434 for 4 (Ponting 164, Hussey 81, Katich 79) by one wicket