It seems to be going from bad to worse for Australia. After losing the Test series to arch rivals South Africa, Ricky Ponting's team was drubbed in the one-day series on Tuesday as the visitors won the fourth ODI convincingly by eight wickets to take an invincible 3-1 lead in the five-match series.After skittling out Australia for a modest 222, South Africa romped home in the 39th over with stand-in opener Hashim Amla (80 not out) and AB de Villiers (81 not out) stitching a match winning 142-run stand.South Africa need 223 runs in the fourth ODI to close the series in their favour as Makhaya Ntini (4-52) and Dale Steyn (3-49) helped the visitors bowl out Australia for a modest 222 in 48 overs here on Monday.The Proteas are already 2-1 up in the series and are now on well their way to glory after their historic triumph in the Test series. The only bright spot in the Australian innings was a 93-run stand between skipper Ricky Ponting (63) and Michael Hussey (28).After choosing to bat, Australia lost David Warner (one) and Shaun Marsh (13) early before Ponting and Hussey came to the rescue. Australia were well-placed at 110-2 in the 20th over but the wicket of Hussey triggered a collapse with the South Africans tightening the noose. Both Hussey and Ponting within a space of nine balls and the home team never recovered from there.Brad Haddin (three) fell to an ambitious heave off skipper Johan Botha and David Hussey (24) mistimed an Albie Morkel delivery to spoon a regulation catch to Herschelle Gibbs.Cameron White (30), who came into the eleven in place of Ryan Harris, and James Hopes (42) led a mini recovery before Steyn came into the act. The South African spearhead snared the duo in consecutive overs to win back the momentum. The Australian tail failed to wag with the South African pacers cleaning up the lower order with clinical precision.
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