South Africa v England

At Johannesburg, January 30, 2005. England won by 26 runs (D/L method). Toss: England.

Despite losing three wickets inside the first 12 overs, England recovered sufficiently to stand well ahead of the Duckworth/Lewis mark when a thunderstorm broke over the Wanderers. Nobody seemed happier than Pietersen, who was there at the end after being loudly booed while walking out for his first innings against South Africa, the country he abandoned in frustration at a perceived lack of opportunities. His initial exchanges with the always theatrical Nel provided the most dramatic moments of the game, with Pietersen struggling nervously for 11 balls before getting off the mark. But otherwise the entertainment was a bit thin once Gough and Hoggard had exploited a dewy surface to reduce South Africa to 19 for three in the tenth over. The middle order fared a little better, and Boje upped the pace late on; but while a total of 175 for nine represented something of a recovery, it was still at least 30 short. Vaughan saw Pollock out of the attack and was in control by the time the rain set in for good.

Man of the Match: M. P. Vaughan.