Shane Watson (47 in 38 balls) was in his usual punishing self. Chasing a relatively easy target of 138, Watson and Michael Lumb (22) provided the perfect start with a 60-run partnership.[break]
Aaron Phangiso struck back with three wickets for a miserly 14 runs in four overs, but it wasn´t enough. Skipper Brad Haddin kept the momentum going with a 21-ball 32 runs innings, that included three sixes.[break]
Earlier, put into bat first, the South African team had got off to a good, courtesy some strokeplay by Gulam Bodi who scored a stellar 61 off 44 deliveries. But Sydney pulled back the strings with regular strikes. Mitchel Starc, Shane Watson and Josh Hazlewood all picked up two wickets each. Four quick wickets within a span of five overs threatened the Lions´ innings to fold up on much lower score. But a few useful shots towards the end to the fence fetched the home some much needed runs.
With seven wickets in hand just a little over the half way mark, the Lions were still looking good and Bodi looked rock solid, but had to settle down after his brisk start as wickets kept on falling around him. Jean Symes then joined Bodi for a quick 29-run partnership to give the south African team just a little bit of impetus.
Mitchell Starc then struck twice in one over to dismiss both Bodi – for 61 off 44 and Symes – for 23 off 16 – to swing the innings back in Sydney’s favour. A quick 14 off 9 from Chris Morris helped the Lions to a reasonable total in a match where teams constantly rode the seesaw while Mitchell Starc finished with figures of 4-0-19-3.
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