Smith leads South Africa to victory

A superbly timed century from opener Graeme Smith has helped South Africa to a six wicket victory against Australia in the rain reduced first match of the series played at Centurion overnight.

Troubled by Brett Lee throughout the Australian Tour, the opener carved out the highest ever score by a Proteas' batsman (119* runs from 124 balls) against the reigning World Champions, who were missing regulars Glenn McGrath, Ricky Ponting and Andrew Symonds.

Originally set 233 to win in 47 overs, the South Africans began in a blaze before two quick wickets of Boeta Dippenaar and Herschelle Gibbs fell. From 2-28 though it was the skipper who took charge and plundered the bowlers. Lee wicketless in conceding 59 runs from his 10 overs.

However, Smith was fortunate to survive on 16, after Lee had an lbw appeal turned down by umpire Jeremy Lloyds. The television feature 'hawkeye' showed the ball was going to smash into the leg stump.

AB de Villiers, overlooked for the recent Australian VB Series, was recalled into the squad and provided solid support for Smith, after Michael Clarke, fielding at mid-wicket, ran out Gibbs.

Smith and de Villiers put on a game breaking 83-run partnership, which ensured the South Africans were well ahead on comparison. The introduction of spin from Brad Hogg ended the stand with de Villiers caught behind for 43 (off 30 balls).

Mark Boucher played the team-man role and bravely gave his wicket away after a calling mishap between he and the captain. With Smith set and poised to reach 100, the outspoken keeper-batsman walked when he realised two runs on a misfield, by Katich at deep square leg, was not going to happen.

Smith brought up his hundred just before the umpires suspended play due to rain, after 33 overs, with South Africa comfortably ahead at 4-176. Play resumed with the floodlights in full effect, and the home team needed a further 28 runs to secure the win - 204 runs off 41 overs.

To the delight of the locals it was indeed Smith who hit the winning runs, from a boundary, with 21 balls to spare.

Earlier, acting captain Adam Gilchrist elected to bat first, after winning the toss.

The start was delayed by rain, which appeared to unsettle the Australian top order batsmen. Makhaya Ntini and Shaun Pollock both cashed in on the overcast conditions and put the tourists on the back foot, struggling at 3-25 in the eighth over.

Michael's Clarke and Hussey revived the flagging innings with a fourth-wicket century stand, both batmen recorded 50s before falling to Pollock.

Brett Lee and Nathan Bracken took to the bowlers in the latter overs with four huge sixes hit between them.

Dubbed an all-rounder, Lee raced to 38 off 28 balls, unbeaten when the innings closed after 47 overs with Australia 8-229, a modest - yet in the conditions a competitive total.

Game two of the five-match series is scheduled for Friday at the picturesque Cape Town venue of Newlands.

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