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South Africa beat Australia to remain on course for whitewash

South Africa secure a six-wicket victory over Australia to take a 4-0 lead in their five-match ODI series.

South Africa remain on course for a series whitewash having secured a six-wicket victory over Australia in the fourth one-day international this afternoon.

The hosts went into the match at Port Elizabeth having already clinched the series on Wednesday, but they refused to relent as Australia moved a step closer to a 5-0 defeat.

The tourists got off to a nightmare start as two wickets from Kyle Abbott helped to reduce them to 12-3, with Steve Smith (21) the only member of the top four to reach double figures.

Indeed, South Africa had taken five wickets before Australia hit 50 runs, and but for half-centuries from Mitchell Marsh (50) and Matthew Wade (52), things could have been a lot worse for the visitors.

Even with those contributions, though, Australia's total of 167 was their worst of the series so far and left South Africa with a relatively simple chase.

The hosts' response did get off to a shaky start when Hashim Amla was caught lbw for just four, but a 69 from captain Faf du Plessis helped them on their way.

Ultimately, it took less than 36 overs to chase down the total as they clinched a six-wicket win to move 4-0 ahead in the series.

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James Anderson celebrates the wicket of Mitchell Marsh during day one of the third Ashes Test between England and Australia at Edgbaston on July 29, 2015
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