Hollywoodbets Kingsmead has produced several entertaining contests between South Africa and Australia. In 2002, the Proteas and Aussie XIs were lined with superstars - and one international debutant from Durban.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and opted to bowl first against a South African XI that included KwaZulu-Natal all-rounder Jon Kent on ODI debut.
Durban hero Jonty Rhodes struck a characteristically brisk 76 from 70 deliveries in South Africa’s final total of 267 for six in 50 overs. He received solid support from opener Graeme Smith’s 46 and wicketkeeper Mark Boucher’s 41 not out. Kingsmead kingpin Shaun Pollock, not Smith, was captaining the Proteas at the time.
Seamer Glenn McGrath and leg-spinner Shane Warne took two wickets each. Fast bowlers Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee clinched a wicket each.
Another cracking knock from Gilchrist on the Republic’s soil came in the 2007 World Cup final. Sensational striking from the Aussie legend:
💥 13 fours
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) November 14, 2020
💥 8 sixes
On Adam Gilchrist's birthday, it's only fair to relive one of his iconic knocks: his 149 in the 2007 World Cup final 🏆pic.twitter.com/9Q7wSAqU7w
Australia’s response with the bat was dominated by opener Adam Gilchrist’s century. He struck an aggressive 105 from 104 deliveries, which included a dozen boundaries and a six.
Opener Matthew Hayden, Ponting and middle-order batsman Damien Martyn weighed in with 59, 44 not out and 47 not out, respectively.
Slip fielder Jacques Kallis dropped Gilchrist on 11 off the bowling of Pollock.
Pollock and Kent, on their home ground, shared 16 wicketless overs as the Australians won with eight wickets in hand and 13 deliveries to spare.
The result gave Australia an unassailable four-nil lead in the seven-match series, which eventually ended five-one.
Australia will arrive in South Africa for their white-ball tour in August, playing three T20 Internationals at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead before heading inland to Bloem, Potch and Gauteng for five One Day Internationals.
Tickets are available now for the three T20 Internationals from TicketPro. Check out all of the key dates and times for the series:
- First T20: Wednesday 30 August – 18:00
- Second T20: Friday 1 September – 18:00
- Third T20: Sunday 3 September – 14:00
