South Africa v Australia, 2005-06

At Johannesburg, February 24, 2006 (day/night). South Africa won by two runs. Toss: South Africa. Twenty20 international debuts: L. L. Bosman, A. B. de Villiers, N. D. McKenzie, R. J. Peterson, R. Telemachus, J. J. van der Wath; G. B. Hogg, S. R. Watson.

Despite the poor weather, the tour opener was almost sold out, and so when rain threatened to turn 40 overs into 14 at best, organisers threw the playing-conditions book out of the window, and simply waited for the rain to stop. The teams agreed, and the match started two hours late. After making just one fifty on the tour of Australia, Smith showed he was back in form with a brutal unbeaten 89 from 58 balls; Gibbs added 56 from 34 for good measure. Australia looked out of contention at 93 for five in the 11th over, but some robust clubbing from Hogg (making amends for two expensive overs) and Lee saw them fall just three short. The captains agreed it was "a bit of fun", though the crowd celebrated hard: against Australia, a win was a win.

Man of the Match: G. C. Smith. Attendance: 25,000.