South Africa draw first blood in battle of the one-day giants

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2006

BRISBANE (AFP) — South Africa drew first blood in the battle of the world's two best one-day cricket teams after a late flourish by Justin Kemp and Mark Boucher handed them a five-wicket win over Australia in the tri-series match at the Brisbane Cricket Ground.

In a finish tinged with drama, the two teams were taken off the ground by umpires Simon Taufel and Aleem Dar after rain started falling with the South Africans needing just five runs to win with 10 balls remaining.

The covers were brought onto the ground but the players returned soon after to complete formalities after the victory target remained unchanged.

It was a just reward for the South Africans who had earlier restricted Australia to a modest 228 off 49.5 overs after destroying their top order...