Cricket: Proteas crush Aussie to level series

South African left-armer Wayne Parnell took four wickets in the second ODI against Australia. Photo / AP

CENTURION - South Africa cruised to a seven-wicket victory as they mowed down Australia's shameful tally of 131 in the second one-day international at Centurion on Sunday.

In a shock form reversal following their 141-run win on Friday in Durban, Ricky Ponting's world champions staggered to 19-5 after eight overs at Centurion.

The tourists were bowled out for 131 in 40.2 overs to the delight of a capacity crowd of 20,000.

South Africa replied with 132-3 in 26.2 overs with AB De Villiers (36 not out) hitting the winning boundary through cover.

The only time Australia had set a lower target in a non-reduced ODI match was in January 1979, scoring 101 at the MCG against England (in a 40-overs-per side contest).

Opener Graeme Smith made 40 for South Africa and Jacques Kallis contributed 31 while Australia's Mitchell Johnson worked up good pace for his 2-47.

Australia face a struggle to rebound for the third match in the five-game series on Thursday in Cape Town.

Left-armer Wayne Parnell and pace spearhead Dale Steyn took four wickets each for South Africa in a devastating display.

After Ponting won the toss in sunny conditions, Australia collapsed with youngster Callum Ferguson making a name for himself amid the mayhem, compiling 50 off 83 balls.

Parnell, a 19-year-old paceman in his second ODI game, claimed 4-25 from eight overs and swung the ball alarmingly.

Steyn took three early wickets and finished with 4-27 from 9.2 overs.

Australia had been 40-6 before Ferguson and Johnson (30) added 63 for the seventh wicket. It was the 24-year-old Ferguson's second half-century in his sixth match.

Opener Brad Haddin (1) played a ball from Steyn onto his stumps in the first over before Ponting (8) was caught behind off Parnell.

Parnell struck again in the sixth over when he trapped Michael Clarke for five.

David Hussey (1) tried a back-foot drive and was caught behind in Steyn's next over.

Parnell also removed Mike Hussey lbw at 19-5 and James Hopes was caught at second slip for eight.

Johnson was lbw to spinner Johan Botha in the 31st over at 103-7 and Steyn produced a rearing short ball to have Ferguson caught at gully six overs later.

"You've certainly seen the best and worst of us in the past few days," Ponting said of his team's performances in the series so far, adding he was confident the tourists could rebound in game three.

Smith said he was delighted with the way his bowlers responded following the opening game loss.

"All credit to the bowlers. They took a bit of flak on Friday night," Smith said.

"They were led by Wayne and Dale, it was great to see.

"There was a little bit of swing there but they bowled in the right areas."

Parnell was named man of the match.

- AAP