CRICKET: Rhodes inspires S Africa field day

South Africa 215

Pakistan 178

(South Africa win by 37 runs)

Inspired fielding by South Africa turned the tables on Pakistan in Cape Town yesterday and brought victory by 37 runs in the first of the three-match Mandela Trophy final series.

The tourists seemed destined to make light work of their hosts' total of 215 when they reached 101 for the loss of just two wickets. But three brilliant run-outs and several breathtaking catches turned the match on its head.

Jonty Rhodes accounted for Aamir Sohail (71) and Rashid Latif (17) with his speed in the field while Gary Kirsten splayed Salim Malik's stumps with a direct hit from midwicket. Tumbling catches in the deep from Dave Callaghan, Fanie de Villiers and Steven Jack also came at vital moments.

South Africa's total had been a disappointment after reaching 193 for four with six overs remaining. They, too, collapsed with three run-outs in the space of 11 deliveries. But Daryll Cullinan's 64 provided the backbone while Gary Kirsten's 43 had laid solid foundations.

Several moments of controversy threatened to spoil the contest, the worst of which came when Ijaz Ahmed hooked a short ball from Jack to fine leg and appeared to protest that it should have been called a bouncer - and therefore a no-ball - by umpire DaveOrchard after he was caught. While Ijaz stood his ground, Jack signalled in the strongest possible terms for him to leave the field by pointing repeatedly at the pavilion.

Pakistan won toss SOUTH AFRICA P N Kirsten lbw b Akram Raza 43

D J Callaghan c Ijaz Ahmed b Aqib Javed 4

*W J Cronje c Aamir Sohail b Aqib Javed 21

D J Cullinan run out 64

J N Rhodes c Aamir Sohail b Akram Raza 21

M J R Rindel run out 31

D J Richardson run out 4

E O Simons c Inzamam b Waqar Younis 6

P L Symcox c sub b Waqar Younis 3

S D Jack b Waqar Younis 6

P S de Villiers not out 0

Extras (lb-4 nb-5 w-3) 12

Total (49.3 overs) 215

Fall: 1-6 2-54 3-89 4-121 5-193 6-198 7-200 8-207 9-215

Bowling: Wasim Akram 10-0-43-0 (nb-4 w-1); Aqib Javed 10-1-51-2; Waqar Younis 9.3-0-32-3 (nb-1 w-2); Akram Raza 10-0-38-2; Salim Malik 4-0-22-0; Aamir Sohail 6-0-25-0.

PAKISTAN Aamir Sohail run out 71

Saeed Anwar b Simons 5

Inzamam-ul-Haq lbw b Simons 4

*Salim Malik run out 19

Ijaz Ahmed c Callaghan b Jack 5

Basit Ali c Simons b Cronje 6

Rashid Latif run out 17

Wasim Akram c Jack b Simons 12

Akram Raza c Jack b Simons 12

Waqar Younis c de Villiers b Cronje 14

Aqib Javed not out 6

Extras (lb2 b5) 7

Total (42.5 overs) 178

Fall: 1-48 2-58 3-101 4-105 5-111 6-122 7-133 8-149 9-159

Bowling: de Villiers 8-0-23-0, Jack 8-0-45-1, Simons 8-0-42-4, Cronje 8.5-0-31-2, Symcox 10-0-30-0

Second match: Johannesburg, 12 January.

Third match (if necessary): Pretoria, 14 January.