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Gibbs century sees South Africa to world record victory

Herschelle Gibbs hit 175 and South Africa scored a world record 438-9 to beat Australia by one wicket in the highest ever scoring limited overs match on Sunday.

Australia had broken the world record by scoring 434-4, but South Africa overtook that total with one ball to spare to win the five-match series 3-2.
"Chasing 434 is a bit surreal for us," South Africa captain Graeme Smith said. "But it was an unbelievable wicket and the batsmen were all able to play their shots."

The two highest ever innings set a record aggregate of 872 runs - the previous mark was 693 by India and Pakistan. While the batsmen hit 26 sixes and 87 fours to better the previous record of 21 sixes and 79 fours.

Gibbs brought up his century in 79 balls to beat his previous South African record of 84 balls. His final score came off 111 balls with 21 fours and seven sixes.

Earlier, Australia captain Ricky Ponting hit a career-best 164. His 20th limited-overs century came off only 71 balls, and when he was dismissed he had faced 105 balls and hit nine sixes and 13 fours.

"You would have thought over 400 would be enough," Ponting said. "But Herschelle and the boys were too good and they deserved their win."

It was the first time a team had surpassed 400 runs in a 50-over innings, overtaking the previous best of 398-5 set by Sri Lanka against Kenya in 1995-6. Australia's previous best was 368-5 against Sri Lanka in Sydney set earlier this season.

Ponting moved past 9,000 runs in one-day internationals when he reached 88 en route to the highest individual total by an Australian against South Africa in one-day internationals.

Ponting won the toss and elected to bat. Adam Gilchrist and Simon Katich put on an opening stand of 97 before Gilchrist fell for 55 in the 16th over.

Katich anchored the innings with his 79 off 90 balls, but when he was dismissed Michael Hussey smashed 81 off 51 balls with nine fours and three sixes.

Roger Telemachus finished with the best figures of 2-87 off 10 overs, but he was hit for 29 in one over.

Smith scored 90 off 55 balls at opener to set a 187-run, second-wicket stand with Gibbs.

Australian quick Nathan Bracken was the most economical bowler in the match with 5-67. Teammate Mick Lewis conceded a world record 113 runs in his 10 overs.

South African wicketkeeper Mark Boucher hit 50 off 43 balls, including the winning boundary off Brett Lee.

"I'm at a loss for words," Boucher said. "That is my best moment in cricket by far."