Wisden
Third One-Day International

South Africa v India, 2006

At Cape Town, November 26, 2006. South Africa won by 106 runs. Toss: South Africa.

When South Africa stumbled to 76 for six, and later 136 for seven, India seemed certain winners. But somehow they blew it, allowing Justin Kemp to score a brilliant century in the dying stages of South Africa's innings before whimpering apologetically to 168 in reply. Zaheer Khan was near-unplayable at first, dismissing Smith (already furious after an altercation with the selectors about the fitness of Nel) and Kallis in his first four balls on his way to an opening spell of 7- 4-9-3, before things changed dramatically. Kemp, reprieved at nine when Tendulkar floored a return catch, played in orthodox fashion at first, reaching 50 from 67 balls, before counter-attacking in the final ten overs as Zaheer and the other bowlers decided, inexplicably, to change their successful full-length attack to a short-pitched one. Kemp had the time of his life, clubbing seven sixes and six fours in all, and making his second fifty from just 22 deliveries. He put on 60 with Pollock and 138 with Hall, a new record for the eighth wicket in one-day internationals. Hall then took three wickets and Pollock four as the seamers made India flounder.

Man of the Match: J. M. Kemp.

© John Wisden & Co.