Australia v South Africa 2000

At Colonial Stadium, Melbourne, August 20. South Africa won by eight runs. Toss: South Africa.

Dismal batting under pressure again cost Australia a match they should have won, even allowing for the two-over deduction for their slow over-rate. Gilchrist hit 63 of their first 75, but the middle order choked in the face of fine bowling from Boje, Telemachus and Pollock, backed by customary brilliance in the field. Pollock and Boje had earlier saved their side with the bat, adding 56 in 45 balls at the end after McGrath and Brett Lee had South Africa 19 for four, then 119 for six. McKenzie and Klusener effected the first recovery with 98 in 156 balls. Without time to fly in a replacement for Boucher, who had sliced his fingers cutting dried meat, Hall took the gloves for South Africa. Kirsten kept in the 47th over when Hall came on to bowl; he was at long-on next over when he caught Gillespie.

Man of the Match: N. Boje. Attendance: 32,769. Man of the Series: N. Boje.