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Australia too good for SA

Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist held a world record six catches as Australia raced to a five-wicket victory with 25.3 overs to spare in the second limited-overs international against South Africa at Newlands on Friday.

Australias victory squared the series at 1-1. The final match will be played in Johannesburg on Sunday.

Gilchrist was involved in six of the first eight dismissals as Australia's bowlers kept the South African batsmen under almost constant pressure after Australian captain Steve Waugh sent them in.

South Africa stuttered to 144 for nine in their 50 overs.

Australia lost three wickets to allrounder Jacques Kallis when they started their reply but Damien Martyn blazed to a 31-ball 50 as he and Michael Bevan hammered 83 off 69 balls for the fourth wicket. The tourists finished up on 145 for 5.

Fast bowler Brett Lee and his medium-paced brother Shane did the major damage as South Africa's top order failed. Brett Lee took three for 32 and Shane Lee two for 19.

In contrast to their below-par performance when South Africa won the first match in Durban on Wednesday, all the Australian bowlers were impressive.

Opening bowler Glenn McGrath was immaculate in taking two for 13 off 10 overs while legspinner Shane Warne took one for 21 from his 10 overs.

Opening batsman Gary Kirsten, who was man of the match when he scored 97 in South Africa's six-wicket win in Durban, made 34 and was joint top scorer with Lance Klusener, who hit an unbeaten 34, putting on 20 for the last wicket with Makhaya Ntini.

Kirsten and Neil McKenzie (22) put on 39 for the second wicket before Kirsten was caught at gully off Shane Lee to start South Africa's slide.

Shane Lee claimed the key wicket of Jacques Kallis and Brett Lee followed up by dismissing Jonty Rhodes, McKenzie and Boucher in quick succession.

One of Gilchrist's victims was opposite number Boucher, who fluffed an opportunity to set the record two days earlier when he dropped an easy chance after holding five catches in Durban.

A capacity crowd of 21,137 cheered as Kallis ripped out Gilchrist, Mark Waugh and Shane Lee but they were soon silenced when Martyn hit three fours in an over from South African captain Shaun Pollock to launch a thrilling innings.