VB Series, 2005-06

At Adelaide, January 24, 2006 (day/night). South Africa won by nine runs. South Africa 4 pts. Toss: South Africa.

South Africa won thanks to some nerveless closing overs, especially from Hall: beginning the last with Sri Lanka 11 from victory, he produced a maiden in which Muralitharan and Dilshan kept swinging at thin air. Smith had earlier won what seemed an important toss, but on a slow surface much of the batting was circumspect, and Murali claimed two wickets in two balls (the second was his 400th in one-day internationals). However, Dippenaar, batting in the tradition of Gary Kirsten, reached a career-best 125. He and the enterprising Gibbs made sure the target was a stiff one. Even so, Sri Lanka seemed in control until the end. Vaas's threat was ended by a catch in the deep in the 49th over, so delighting Pollock, the bowler, that he hugged umpire Aleem Dar as well as his team-mates. Then came Hall's improbable maiden, when Sri Lanka could manage only a leg-bye. There were more racial taunts from the crowd during the game and Gerald Majola, chief executive of the South African board, said: "We would have walked off if it continued" - although Majola was in South Africa and thus speaking theoretically. The result gave all three teams two wins from four starts.

Man of the Match: H. H. Dippenaar. Attendance: 8,130.