Australia v South Africa

At Brisbane, January 20 (day/night). Australia won by 27 runs. Australia 4 pts. Toss: Australia.

Australia at last managed a win, if not a convincing one, in front of Brisbane's biggest crowd for a one-day international. Defying the critics, they continued their rotation policy, and made four changes (as did South Africa). Martyn scored a scampering fifty in which he hit no boundaries, before plundering the support bowling to reach his century in 117 balls. Ponting - batting mostly in a cap - played with greater ease, and alarmed drinkers in the Gabba bar by launching a six on to its glass roof. However, it was surprising to see Steve Waugh rather than Gilchrist at the fall of the fourth wicket, and Australia's final score should have been better. At 135 for three in the 32nd over, South Africa were marginal favourites. But their middle order flopped against Symonds, whose three wickets included a stunning caught-and-bowled from a full-blooded Boucher drive.

Man of the Match: D. R. Martyn.