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In-form Kirsten helps South Africa crush Australia

INDORE, India, Oct 19- Prolific opener Gary Kirsten smashed his second one-day century in three outings to steer South Africa to an easy seven-wicket victory over Australia here on Saturday.

The left-hander carried his bat for an unbeaten 105 as the power- ful South Africans overtook Australia's modest 219-7 with 23 balls to spare -- their 21st win in 24 one-day matches this year.

Hansie Cronje's wonder boys, who beat hosts India by 47 runs in the opening match of the triangular series on Thursday, have four full points from their first two matches.

Australia, playing their first game since losing the one-off test against India in under four days last Sunday, failed to contain the South Africans in the absence of star bowler Shane Warne.

The leg-spinner, who opted out of the tour after a recent surgery on his spinning finger, was missed as Kirsten and Andrew Hudson put on 118 for the first wicket.

Seamer Glenn McGrath raised visions of an upset win by removing Hudson (53) and Daryll Cullinan in the space of seven balls to make it 129 for two by the 26th over.

But Cronje, who added 46 for the third wicket with Kirsten, and Jonty Rhodes (19 not out) ensured there were no major hiccups be- fore victory was achieved.

Kirsten, who hit 118 in the Four Nations Cup final against Pakis- tan in Nairobi in early October and 84 on Thursday, won his third man of the match award in a row.

The South African vice-captain hit seven boundaries in his seventh one-day century from 52 appearances.

Australia, electing to take first strike on an easy-paced wicket, were given a flying start by skipper Mark Taylor and Mark Waugh who put on 85 for the first wicket in 19 overs.

But the South Africans hit back by taking four wickets for 21 runs in the space of 40 deliveries -- two of them through run outs.

Ricky Ponting (35) and Michael Bevan (56) compiled a face-saving stand of 61 for the fifth wicket, before falling to paceman Allan Donald who finished with three wickets.

Livewire Jonty Rhodes showed his fielding prowess by running out Mark Waugh for 50, before picking up a a sensational diving catch at point to remove Ian Healy.

Taylor made 39 off 58 balls before he was adjudged run out by television replays, beaten by a throw from the deep by Derek Crookes as he attemped a second run.

Rhodes then ran out Mark Waugh swooping on the ball at short mid-wicket and sending back a sharp return to wicket-keeper Dave Richardson before the batsman made his ground.

Off-spinners Pat Symcox and Crookes took over at that stage to reduce Australia to 106 for four by the 26th over.

Symcox deceived Steve Waugh in the air to have him stumped down the leg side by Richardson for one. Crookes held one back to Stuart Law, who drove it back for the bowler to accept a simple return catch.

Both spinners bowled tidy 10-over spells in the middle of the Australian innings, Symcox giving away just 28 runs and Crookes only 11 more.