Rain frustrates South Africa's preparations

South Africa 229 for 6 (Boucher 69, Pollock 53) Northamptonshire 45 for 1 (Hussey 278) Match abandoned

Heavy rain at Wantage Road put pay to Northamptonshire's match against the South Africans. In reply to 229, Northants had scored 45 for 1 in what would have been an interesting run chase before the skies opened.

Mark Boucher (69) and Shaun Pollock (53) had earlier showed their experience by leading South Africa to a respectable score after a shaky start. Mike Cawdron and Damian Wright each took two wickets in the innings and both made early breakthroughs with the wickets of openers Graeme Smith (15) and Herschelle Gibbs (24). Jacques Kallis then soon followed them back to the hutch when he was caught by David Sales for 3 (70 for 3), but Boucher and Pollock took command of proceedings with a stand of 105.

Graeme Swann, whose only one-day international was against South Africa in January 2000, eventually had them both caught, to leave Morne van Wyk (17) and Nicky Boje (10) for the final push.