BACK on familiar territory, the South Africans lost by five runs chasing a revised target of 284 in 43 overs on the Duckworth-Lewis method. After Martin Bicknell pressed his claims for a winter tour berth with three for 36, Jonty Rhodes' 90, full of dash and improvisation, and 59 from Shaun Pollock threatened to hold sway but both went in quick succession.

The tourists are still seething at the perceived injustice of the Test series decider but the Emirates Triangular Tournament, starting with their game against Sri Lanka tomorrow, at least provides a forum in which to vent their frustration.

The match was less a dress rehearsal for the one-day series, more a pantomime in technicolour with the Englishmen decked out in five separate AXA League outfits and the South Africans forced to wear tracksuit bottoms when their original kit was found to be ill-fitting.

Ali Brown was bowled off a Pollock no-ball then Nick Knight caught behind by Mark Boucher off another when the Counties XI were inserted in damp, blustery conditions. The match was reduced to 47 overs and the start delayed until 11.40 am, and Brown was soon making up lost time in familiar cavalier style.

A rain flurry cost another four overs then Brown climbed into Pat Symcox, launching two blows over long-on and 10 fours in his rapid 79. Knight, the left-handed half of England's likely opening partnership against Sri Lanka at Lord's on Sunday, was dropped by Symcox at third man then again at slip by Darryl Cullinan before chipping a return catch to Symcox for 45.

Matthew Maynard, whose captaincy here is an indication he may be in line to lead England in the one-day knock-out event in Bangladesh in late October, was lbw to Jacques Kallis before Ben Hollioake and Mark Alleyne (37 not out) forged an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership of 113.

Hollioake struck a fine 70 off 61 balls, sweetly timing his shots behind square leg off the hapless Nantie Hayward, who was thoroughly undeserving of final figures of none for 63.