VB Series, 2005-06

At Brisbane, January 15, 2006 (day/night). South Africa won by five wickets. South Africa 4 pts. Toss: Australia. One-day international debut: G. J-P. Kruger.

South Africa made the most of an incisive opening spell by Pollock to record an ultimately comfortable victory. Ponting happily chose to bat, but a humid afternoon helped Pollock, who grabbed two wickets in ten balls. Gilchrist played the first of the game into his stumps, and the innings faded to 71 for six before Hussey and Lee, with a career-best 57, added 123, an Australian record for the seventh wicket. South Africa also lost early wickets: Kallis was the victim of a precision side-on throw by Symonds, and Prince fell to an extraordinary run and dive by Hussey. However, Dippenaar showed patience and poise, and by the time he was fifth out at 162, Boucher and Kemp had a manageable task. Gilchrist concluded a forgettable match with a 40% fine for audibly questioning umpire Aleem Dar, who chose not to get a TV decision on a possible Dippenaar run-out - closer than it first seemed.

Man of the Match: S. M. Pollock. Attendance: 39,874.