Australia A cruise to victory over South Africans

BRISBANE, April 4 AAP - Australia's next wave of top cricketers continued South Africa's blues in the one-day international arena tonight with a comfortable 64-run win by Australia A at the Gabba.

Playing the first match of their seven-match Australian tour, South Africa A never got into stride thanks to the twin challenges of rain and a feisty Australian performance in the field.

Chasing the Australia A total of 212 from 50 overs, the visitors were bundled out for 106 after being set a revised target of 171 from 30 overs following a two-hour rain delay.

The Duckworth-Lewis method, which caused the South African World Cup campaign so much grief last month, was again a feature of the loss, although the damage was done to their innings before the rain appeared.

Victorian pace bowler Shane Harwood was named man-of-the-match with his 29 not out and figures of 1-8 from four overs providing Australia A with a winning edge.

Australia A shared its wickets around with World Cup squad member Nathan Hauritz claiming 3-33 from 5.1 overs and pace bowler Stuart Clark making the early breakthroughs to take 2-13 from six overs.

NSW batsman Michael Clarke celebrated his call-up to the Australian tour of the West Indies earlier in the day by showcasing his versatility, taking 2-14 with his left-arm spinners.

Australia again showed why it is rated among the best fielding nations in the world, with fine outfield catches by Damien Wright and Clarke and a direct hit by Hauritz to remove opener Adam Bacher.

For South Africa A, captain Gerald Dros top-scored with 21 but it was otherwise an uninspiring performance by the tourists, which had five players with either Test or one day international experience in their ranks.

Rain stopped play with the South African run chase just nine overs old after pace bowlers Clark (2-11) and Harwood (1-8) had reduced their opponents to 3-20.

Following a lengthy break of nearly two hours, the South African innings resumed with their required run-rate jumping from under 5 to more than 7 runs an over.

It was the second rain delay of the match, with a brief delay in the 27th over of the Australian innings, with play halted for 23 minutes when Australia was 5-122.

The disruption paid off for South Africans, with dangerman Andrew Symonds dismissed for 30 shortly after the resumption, caught at first slip off the bowling of right-arm quick Charl Langeveldt.

The tourists started well by dismissing Australia A captain Jimmy Maher for 5, caught at deep fine leg by Andre Nel in the fourth over, before NSW left-hander Simon Katich was out for a duck to have the home side 2-15.

Australia got back on track briefly, thanks to bright batting by opener Brad Hodge (34) and Michael Clarke, who became Australia's latest West Indies tour replacement while on the way to a breezy 24 off 22 balls, including three fours and a six.

The two teams travel to Canberra tomorrow for the next match on Sunday at Manuka Oval.

Left-arm paceman Nathan Bracken, who missed the opening game for personal reasons, and wicket-keeper Ryan Campbell (illness) are expected to be available for selection for Australia A.

Queensland batsman Clinton Perren has joined the squad as the replacement for Clarke, who departs for the West Indies tomorrow.