We were outplayed throughout: Ponting

Dejected Ponting credits SA; hopes for better showing against Kiwis

We were outplayed throughout: Ponting

Ricky Ponting

Dejected Ponting credits SA; hopes for better showing against Kiwis

Ricky Ponting has said that his team paid dearly for their slip-ups after South Africa displaced Australia at the top of the International Cricket Council's one-day rankings yesterday.

"We have been outplayed throughout. It's been a good learning experience for us especially the younger guys in the team. We have to give South Africa all credit," Ponting said at the presentation ceremony hogged by the South Africans.

The Proteas had already wrapped up the five-match series as they headed into the final game, and ensured a memorable tour that started with a Test series win finished on a high.

The tourists' win was set up with the bat as they posted 288 for six, largely thanks to Hashim Amla's 97 at the top of the order. JP Duminy chipped in with a 42-ball 60.

Early wickets then undermined the hosts' run chase, with debutant Lonwabo Tsotsobe quickly removing Shaun Marsh and Ricky Ponting on his way to figures of four for 50.

And while a patient 78 from Mike Hussey and some late hitting from Brad Haddin (63) gave Australia faint hope, the target proved too much as they were eventually bowled out for 249 from 48.5 overs.

"We had a chance to make big scores but slipped and we made lots of mistakes in the field. We just didn't play well enough," Ponting said after expressing his inability to point a finger at the problem.

The Aussie skipper hoped for a better showing in the forthcoming one-day series against the New Zealanders.

Botha, who was appointed captain when regular captain Graeme Smith returned home with an injury, said he was quite unsure how things would pan out but was delighted to get his hands on the trophy in the end.

The Proteas compiled their total without meaningful contributions from Herschelle Gibbs (seven) or Neil McKenzie (10), who both fell cheaply earlier in the day.

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