Parnell and Steyn to the fore

Wayne Parnell traps Michael Clarke (five) in front for the second of his four wickets

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Wayne Parnell and Dale Steyn shared eight wickets to set up South Africa’s crushing seven-wicket win over Australia in the second one-day international in Pretoria.

Having bowled Australia out for a paltry 131, South Africa raced to their target with more than 23 overs to spare to level the five-match series 1-1.

Though Graeme Smith led the charge with 40 at the top of the order, the foundations for South Africa’s success were laid by Parnell and Steyn.

Nineteen-year-old left-arm seamer Parnell claimed 4-25 in only his second ODI, while Steyn finished with 4-27.

They helped reduce Australia to 19 for five, and there was little doubt over the outcome of the contest thereafter despite Callum Ferguson’s resolute half-century.

Mitchell Johnson was the only other player to score more than 10 as Australia were hustled out in 40.2 overs. It was their third lowest total batting first in one-day cricket.

Steyn began the carnage when Brad Haddin played on in the first over, and Parnell followed up by finding Ricky Ponting’s edge. Mark Boucher took a diving catch behind the stumps.

Michael Clarke was trapped in front by a Parnell inswinger before David Hussey was caught behind chasing a delivery outside off stump.

Late movement from Parnell accounted for Mike Hussey, who was trapped on the crease, and, although James Hopes struck two early boundaries, he was caught by Johan Botha at first slip attempting to cut Jacques Kallis.

It would have been worse for Australia had Albie Morkel not dropped a tough return catch offered by Johnson, who recovered to make 30, putting on 63 with Ferguson for the seventh wicket before departing lbw to Botha’s off-spin.

Ferguson perished immediately after bringing up an 82-ball fifty containing just three fours – undone by a bouncer and caught by a diving AB de Villiers, charging in from point, inches off the ground.

Parnell returned to the attack to have Nathan Bracken taken by JP Duminy, running back from cover, and Nathan Hauritz edged Steyn to Boucher to bring the innings to a sorry end.

Though South Africa made a poor start in response – Herschelle Gibbs fell for two to Johnson – Smith and Kallis steadied the ship courtesy of a 69-run stand for the second wicket.

Smith chipped a Ben Laughlin slower ball to mid-on and Kallis departed for 31 when he edged Johnson behind, but Duminy and de Villiers, who made an unbeaten 36, carried South Africa home.