VB Series, 2005-06

At Docklands Stadium, Melbourne, February 3, 2006 (day/night). Australia won by 80 runs. Australia 5 pts. Toss: Australia.

The combination of Brett Lee and the Docklands Stadium proved far too much for South Africa, just as it had a fortnight earlier, and the Australians pinched their third bonus point of the series. Conditions were easier than in their last meeting here, and of the Australian batsmen only Clarke failed to reach 25. Hussey and Symonds were most brutal, scoring at almost nine an over in a century stand. Two balls into the reply a tall total became taller still when Smith was unluckily lbw to Lee's swinging yorker, and any prospect of a win went along with Gibbs, heaving impulsively. Fielding at fine leg, Hopes lunged backwards to catch Kemp, the first of three wickets for Lee in the 39th over.

Man of the Match: M. E. K. Hussey. Attendance: 26,309.