On 30th January 2009, South Africa defeated Australia by 39 runs in the One day International played at Western Australia Cricket Association Ground, Perth. Due to this victory, South Africa won the 5 match One day series by 4-1 and became the No. 1 ranked ODI team in the world. Albie Morkel was honored as the Player of the Series. Hashim Amla was chosen as the Man of the Match.
South Africa innings
South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first. The team did not start on a good note and in the 6th over, Herschelle Gibbs returned to the pavilion for 7 with just 28 on board. Neil McKenzie was dismissed on 10 when the team had reached 58 in the 14th over. Thereafter, Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers played very conservatively and built up a partnership worth 118 runs till the 37th over. AB de Villiers scored 60 runs in 71 deliveries inclusive of 4 fours. In the 41st over, Amla was out after contributing 97 runs in 117 deliveries. He had clobbered 1 sixer and 6 boundaries. His innings were very calm and consisted of 52 singles. Thereafter, Jean-Paul Duminy took charge of the situation and added 60 quick runs in 42 balls. His knock was comprised of 3 sixers and 3 fours. He completed his half century in 33 balls and enabled South Africa to add 53 during the batting Powerplay. South Africa reached 288 for the loss of 6 wickets at the end of the 50th over. For Australia, James Hopes bowled 9 overs, out of which 1 was maiden, conceded 44 runs and took 3 wickets. Ben Hilfenhaus made 2 dismissals while giving away 43 runs in 10 overs.
Australia innings
The Australian innings began disastrously with Shaun Marsh out on 5 in the 2nd over. In the 8th over, there was a big blow as Ricky Ponting was caught on 12 and the scoreboard read 2-35. Michael Clarke was out for a duck and David Warner was run out on 22. In the 13th over, Australia was struggling at 4 for 53. At this juncture, Michael Hussey and David Hussey showed some resistance to the South African attack and created a partnership of 69 runs. David Hussey faced 51 deliveries and calmly scored 32 runs. He returned back to the pavilion in the 30th over. Thereafter, Michael Hussey and Brad Haddin increased the score to 174 and in the 39th over, Hussey was bowled for 78 in 96 deliveries. He smashed 1 sixer and 5 boundaries. Haddin also contributed nicely and made quick 63 runs in 50 deliveries inclusive of 1 sixer and 5 fours. The tailenders could not add much to the total. Australia was bowled out for 249 in 49 overs. Lonwabo Tsotsobe took 4 wickets in 9 overs while conceding 50 runs. 
Although Australia has slipped to the No.2 position in ODIs, if they defeat New Zealand in the upcoming series, they can regain the No. 1 spot. On the other hand, South Africa has the opportunity to become the No. 1 ranked Test team if they are victorious in the Test series that begins on 26th February 2009.