South Africa v India

At Durban, October 26 (day/night). South Africa won by six wickets. Toss: South Africa.

India went down to their ninth successive defeat in a one-day final since November 1998. They could not get going on a wicket that helped the quicker bowlers, after rain had prevented any work on the pitch the day before. Pollock's accuracy slowed down the openers: a frustrated Ganguly slashed a catch behind in the seventh over and Tendulkar followed in the 12th, when Hayward's sharp pace forced him on to the back foot and induced an inside edge, the third time in four innings he had played on. After losing Sehwag, Dravid found little support. Laxman missed a crucial opportunity to derail South Africa's reply when he dropped Kirsten, then 23, off Srinath. For the third time in the tournament, Kirsten played the anchor role, making a home victory look inevitable - not least to the Indians. The bowling, apart from Srinath, was poor and the fielding ragged. As South Africa cantered home, several unenthralled fans began scrapping in the stands, and an object was thrown at Harbhajan Singh.

Man of the Match: S. M. Pollock.