Australia might have to embark on its coming cricket tour of South Africa without champion fast bowler Glenn McGrath, whose wife has suffered a recurrence of cancer.

As his teammates completed an 80-run one-day win over the Proteas at Telstra Dome, McGrath was at home in Sydney dealing with the terrible news with wife Jane, who is about to start her third battle against cancer and will undergo radiotherapy treatment next week.

Australia posted a huge 7-281 and then restricted South Africa to 9-201 to skip well clear on the tri-series table, and the Proteas look likely to play Sri Lanka for a place in the finals in Hobart on Tuesday unless they can reverse this result at the SCG on Sunday.

It is unclear if McGrath will play on Sunday, or if he will leave for Johannesburg with the rest of the Australian squad on February 19 in time for Australia's first match five days later.

McGrath, whose manager could not say when he would return, has previously sat out matches to be by his wife's side, as he missed the first two Tests of the 2003 tour of the West Indies when Jane fought bone cancer.

The McGraths said in a statement they would remain positive, and that Glenn intended to play on, although he needed to discuss his schedule with Cricket Australia.

Australia dominated with bat and ball to complete another barnstorming win.

Mike Hussey (62 from 44 balls) and Andrew Symonds (65 from 50) clobbered a collective 109 runs from 76 balls, including 60 runs from the final four overs.

With the wind taken from its sails, South Africa then suffered a huge blow on ball two of its innings when Brett Lee's full toss was ruled good enough to have opposition skipper Graeme Smith out LBW for a duck.

The tourists never recovered.

Super-sub Johan Botha, who was elevated to No.5, top-scored with 46 but there was never the hustle or urgency to overtake Australia's big total.

Lee, who replaced McGrath in the side, took 4-30 and finished off South Africa's challenge when he removed Justin Kemp (20), Mark Boucher (duck) and Botha all in the 39th over.

Australia's win earned it a bonus point and ensured South Africa will have to work very hard if it is to reach the finals.

The Proteas can make the finals if they beat Australia on Sunday, but the home side's batting depth and Lee's stranglehold over Smith makes that scenario look unlikely.

Australia did suffer a casualty of its own, as James Hopes went off the ground late in the match to be checked after he whacked the back of his head on the hard Telstra Dome surface after he completed a catch at fine leg to remove Kemp.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP