Wisden
First One-Day International

South Africa v Sri Lanka

At Johannesburg, November 27, 2002. South Africa won by six wickets. Toss: South Africa. One-day international debut: J. Mubarak.

This was organised as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup final, to be held here four months later, though neither team would then be present. Traffic cones ringed the Wanderers and security men pored over supporters' cool-boxes, but no amount of planning could prepare an adequate pitch after a series of mechanical failures left the curator without a roller. The nets were dangerous and the strip a minefield. Sri Lanka collapsed to 30 for five in 13 overs and, after a brief rally by Jayawardene and Arnold, the last five went for 33. They were all out for just 128, and the new-ball pair, Pollock and Ntini, had combined figures of seven for 40. South Africa's top order also wobbled, sinking to 56 for four, but Kallis and Boucher motored home at five an over against an attack weakened by the absence of Muralitharan.

Man of the Match: S. M. Pollock. Attendance: 13,944.

© John Wisden & Co