SOUTH AFRICA v AUSTRALIA

At Centurion, April 10 (day/night). Australia won by five wickets. Toss: South Africa.

Australia clinched the series 4-2 in an astonishing game that produced 571 runs from 99 overs. The second innings, in which Bevan scored his maiden hundred for Australia while he and Steve Waugh put on 189, an Australian fourth-wicket record, in 28 overs, was played in heavy dew which made conditions farcical. Bowlers could not grip the sopping wet ball properly, and fielders slithered on the outfield. April is too late for floodlit games on the Highveld. Cronje had won the toss but gambled that his bowlers could defend a big score. He himself contributed a run-a-ball 80, and put on 149 with Cullinan. Pollock provided another late boost and a total of 284 seemed fireproof when the tourists lost three wickets reaching 58. Then came the devastating stand between Bevan and Steve Waugh, who did some frantic running to make up for a low boundary count. Their combined 192 runs came off 197 balls, but included only 14 fours and two sixes.

Man of the Match: M. G. Bevan. Attendance: 15,735.