Old hands power South Africa to series lead

David Warners blitzkrieg went in vain as South Africa edged out Australia by three wickets in the third one-day international to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series here on Friday.

The Proteas first bowled out the hosts for 269 in 49.2 overs before going on to overwhelm the target with 21 balls to spare under floodlights. Warner top-scored for Australia with a 60-ball 69,adding 114 runs with fellow opener Shaun Marsh (43).

South Africa rode on significant contributions from Herschelle Gibbs (64),Jacques Kallis (60),Albie Morkel (40) and Mark Boucher (31 not out) to reach 270 for seven in 46.3 overs. Gibbs struck form and with Kallis milked the Australian attack.

They added 104 runs for the second wicket in 13-odd overs before Mitchell Johnson removed Gibbs to trigger a mini batting collapse.