South Africa scale one-day summit

Lonwabo Tsotsobe returned figures of 4-50 on his ODI debut for South Africa

South Africa displaced Australia at the top of the International Cricket Council’s one-day rankings after securing a 39-run win against the world champions in Perth.

The Proteas had already wrapped up the five-match series as they headed into today’s final game at the WACA, and, after winning the Test series, ensured a memorable tour finished on a high.

The tourists’ win was set up with the bat as they posted 288 for six, thanks largely to Hashim Amla’s 97 at the top of the order while JP Duminy weighed in with a 42-ball 60.

Early wickets then undermined the hosts’ run-chase, with debutant Lonwabo Tsotsobe quickly removing Shaun Marsh and Ricky Ponting on his way to figures of 4-50.

While a patient 78 from Mike Hussey and some late hitting from Brad Haddin, who made 63, gave Australia faint hope, the target proved too much as they were bowled out for 249 with seven balls remaining.

South Africa compiled their total without meaningful contributions from Herschelle Gibbs or Neil McKenzie, both of whom fell cheaply earlier in the day.

But Amla and AB de Villiers set about laying the foundation for a big total, patiently building the score courtesy of a 118-run third-wicket partnership.

De Villiers slashed recklessly at Hopes to fall for 60, while Amla did not offer a chance before falling just short of three figures, caught behind by a diving Haddin off Hopes, who finished with 3-33.

Amla’s dismissal, however, represented a rare disappointment for the hosts during the final 10 overs, which yielded 92 runs.

Hashim Amla's innings of 97 set the foundation for the tourists' win, which saw them top the rankings

Duminy produced a sterling display of hitting as the tourists in five overs.

Mitchell Johnson was the main offender, the frontline bowler smashed for 20 off his final over during the batting powerplay as Duminy treated him with contempt.

The left-armer managed only 1-68 and Nathan Bracken also endured a torrid return to the Australia side. He conceded 70 runs in 10 overs, the last six of which cost 53, although Ben Hilfenhaus (2-43) and Michael Clarke (0-30) maintained some control.

In reply, Australia slumped to 53 for four as Tsotsobe removed Marsh and Ponting.

A 69-run partnership between Mike Hussey and brother David - batting for Australia for the first time together in their native Perth - wrested the momentum back towards the home side.

But they lost wickets at regular intervals and struggled to keep up with the run-rate as David Hussey, who contributed 30, gifted a simple catch to Johan Botha at short cover off Duminy.

Mike Hussey and Haddin added 72, but the former became Tsotsobe's third victim, bowled attempting one slog too many after belting the youngster for 12 runs from three balls during Australia's batting powerplay.

As the required rate mounted, Haddin defiantly brought up his half-century off just 39 balls, but it was too late to prevent Australia falling to a 4-1 series defeat.