JOHANNESBURG, April 16: Lance Klusener slammed a 49-ball half-century as South Africa clinched the three-match challenge limited over series against Australia with a four-wicket victory at the Wanderers on Sunday.

South Africa won the series 2-1 against the World Cup champion to the delight of a packed crowd of 31,500.

It was a triumph for new South African captain Shaun Pollock, who took over after Hansie Cronje was fired on Tuesday for accepting money from an Indian bookmaker.

Pollock spearheaded an all-pace attack, taking four for 37 as Australia was bowled out for 205 after being sent in on a lively pitch.

South Africa seemed headed for an easy win as Jacques Kallis and pinch-hitting opening batsman Andrew Hall pounded 37 runs off four overs from Shane Warne and Ian Harvey as South Africa raced to 91 for two after 19 overs.

But Hall was caught at cover off Warne for 46. Steve Waugh immediately brought fast bowler Brett Lee back into the attack and he dismissed Kallis and Nicky Boje as South Africa crashed to 91 for five.

Lee built up exceptional pace on a helpful pitch and two deliveries were recorded by a radar gun at 156kmph.

Mark Boucher and Jonty Rhodes batted cautiously before Rhodes was caught off Warne, who took two for 10 in his last seven overs.

Boucher (55 not out) was joined by Klusener (52 not out) and the pair took South Africa to victory with a stand of 87 which was dominated by the clean hitting of Klusener.

Klusener was named man-of-the-match and man-of-the-series.

Earlier, Australian captain Steve Waugh made 51 to enable his side to make a reasonable score. He was dropped on two by wicketkeeper Boucher shortly after Michael Bevan, who went on to score 33, was dropped at slip by Kallis when he had 13. Both chances were off Makhaya Ntini.

After Waugh's battling 86-ball innings was ended by fast bowler Mornantau Hayward, Ian Harvey and Shane Warne boosted Australia's total with an eighth-wicket stand of 52 off 67 balls.

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