Date-stamped : 10 Apr97 - 14:44 SA fail by nine at Wanderers Guy Hawthorne South Africa's top-order batting shortcomings were vividly exposed once again at a packed Wanderers last night as they slumped to an eight-run defeat against Australia in a nail-biting Standard Bank limited-overs international series match. In reply to Australia's 258/7, South Africa recovered admirably from a poor start but fell just short in compiling 250/8. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Australia's innings revolved around Michael di Venuto's 89 (114 balls, 11x4) in his fourth limited-overs international and showed the value of having a player with the confidence to hit over the top. The aggressive left-hander put on 93 for the opening wicket with Greg Blewett, who also trusted in his ability to clear the inner ring, and set Australia up for what looked like being a score in the region of 280. To South Africa's credit, they continued to plug away and took wickets every time Australia got their momentum going. A score of 258, on a track tilted heavily in favour of the batsmen, was in the end acceptable from a South African point of view. A number of the Australians got going and then got out, with Jason Gillespie, promoted up the order, Steve Waugh, Michael Bevan and Adam Gilchrist all suffering this fate. Allan Donald, who for the past six months has bowled his heart out for South Africa, looked understandably jaded yesterday and although he captured his mandatory few wickets, his 10 overs cost an unusually expensive 67 runs. Off-spinner Derek Crookes was unsuccessful but economical, conceding 37 runs in his 10 overs, and captain Hansie Cronje, who made the crucial breakthrough to end the opening partnership when he had Blewett caught behind with his first ball of the match, once again bowled with distinction. His 10 overs cost 42 runs, commendable under the circumstances, and he took the wickets of Blewett and Stuart Law. Why he doesn't bowl more regularly in one-day cricket, where he appears to have the knack of taking vital wickets, remains a mystery. South Africa's reply, requiring 5,3 runs an over for victory, got off to a horrible start. Herchelle Gibbs, who looked in fine nick, was harshly adjudged lbw by Barry Lambson, Adam Bacher charged irresponsibly down the track and was caught off a leading edge and pinch-hitter Derek Crookes was run out by Gilchrist. At 31/3 the innings was already on the wobble. Daryll Cullinan and Jacques Kallis, prolific batsmen during this series, got things back on course with a 101 run partnership - the highest for the third wicket at Wanderers - during which they nearly always looked to have the measure of the Australian attack. Cullinan's trademark square cut bisected the field time and again and Kallis greeted the introduction of left-arm wrist spinner Michael Bevan by smashing his first two deliveries for six. There was no such joy, however, from Blewett's first ball of the match as Cullinan attempted to heave a juicy half-volley through mid-wicket and was bowled for 53 (74 balls, 5x4), his 15th one-day half century. Jonty Rhodes came and went and when Kallis, having passed the 50 mark for the sixth time in his international career, offered a soft catch to Steve Waugh in the gully off Gillespie, South Africa's victory chances took a nosedive. Cronje and Shaun Pollock compiled a gutsy 73 for the seventh wicket to give their side a chance of victory, but when Shane Warne had Pollock caught by Law at mid-wicket for 40, two balls after having had him dropped in the deep by Adam Dale, Australia were favourites for a win that now leaves them 3-2 up with the remaining matches at Centurion tomorrow and Bloemfontein on Sunday. Hansie Cronje afterwards said: "We're disappointed we couldn't get there. "We thought it was a gettable total and when Shaun Pollock and I were there and we needed seven an over I thought we would get there quite easily, but we lost a couple of wickets and the guys coming in were under too much pressure. "We've now got to come back strongly at Centurion Park and we're looking forward to that challenge. His opposite number Ian Healy said: "It was a bit tense towards the end. "It wasn't too easy to see the ball and the footing wasn't good so I was really pleased with the way we fielded and bowled in the end. "Our openers batted really sensibly and that allowed time for the rest to go hard. "I think our batsmen hit the gaps a bit better, which allowed them to run positively. "We've fought back twice now from being one down and I'm sure South Africa are capable of doing exactly the same. "We're going to have to be right on our mettle at Centurion." Source :: The Star Contributed by Tony Hassett