Steve Smith powers Australia to series win

Steve Smith brilliant century give the hosts series win ahead of the fifth and final match

Steve Smith smashed a brilliant century to lead Australia to a series-clinching three-wicket win over South Africa in their fourth one-day international on Friday.

Smith hit a career-best ODI total of 104 from 112 deliveries as the Australians passed South Africa’s 267/8 with six balls to spare at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

A century partnership by Smith and Matthew Wade (52) helped Australia recover from 98-5 to finish at 268-7 with six balls to spare at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and give the hosts the series win ahead of the fifth and final match on Sunday at Sydney.

Captain AB de Villiers, who appeared to injure his ribs while fielding, earlier top-scored with 91 for South Africa, and shared a 122-run fourth-wicket stand with David Miller (45) to revive the innings from 77-3.The visitors, who won the toss, finished with 267-8.

Match report: South Africa 267/8 in 50 0vers (De Villiers 91, Miller 45; Faulkner 2/45) lost to Australia 268/7 in 49 overs (Smith 104, Wade 52; Steyn 2/47) by three wickets.