At Docklands Stadium, Melbourne, January 20, 2006 (day/night). Australia won by 59 runs. Australia 5 pts. Toss: Australia. One-day international debuts: B. R. Dorey, P. A. Jaques; J. J. van der Wath.

Lee blasted out South Africa after Phil Jaques - making his one-day international debut in place of the injured Katich - had made a quality 94 in testing conditions. The stadium roof was closed, and the humid weather turned a venue designed for winter use into a huge hothouse. The ball swung throughout, making Jaques's innings all the more impressive. His off-side play was particularly crisp, and in one entertaining over from Steyn that included 24 runs and the wicket of Symonds, Jaques hit four successive boundaries. Remarkably, Jaques did not play again in the series. Less surprisingly, Steyn was supersubbed, under the short-lived experimental rule, and replaced by Johan van der Wath, who was meaner. Set 246, South Africa foundered against Lee, who drew an edge from Smith and bowled four others on a wicket where the ball occasionally kept low. His five for 22 was a career-best. Hogg was also effective, finding quick turn to dismiss Gibbs. Australia, who also blooded Brett Dorey, a tall seamer from Fremantle, barely missed Gilchrist, rested under their rotation policy.

Man of the Match: B. Lee. Attendance: 38,864.