At Nottingham, August 14. Sri Lanka won by 57 runs. Toss: South Africa.
Four days after the crushing disappointment of losing the Leeds Test, South Africa understandably failed to raise their game for this addendum to their tour. Chasing 259, they lost Kirsten in the first over and quickly slid to 66 for five, the first three to Wickremasinghe. Symcox, promoted to No. 5 (but appearing eccentrically with 77 on his numbered shirt), made the most of his chance after a tour in the shadows, and put on 100 with Rhodes, who batted 49 balls for his 54. But when Symcox holed out, the innings crumpled. The South Africans had been on the receiving end of the Sri Lankans' traditional blazing start. 79 in the first ten overs. Forty-three of these came off Elworthy, who conceded 11 extras, including all four variants, in one over. To restore order, Donald had to come on much earlier than their strategists had planned. He helped prevent a run-riot, but Ranatunga nursed the later order successfully enough. He ran his singles more gingerly than ever because of a knee injury, and did not take the field. Instead of a maker's name, Ranatunga's bat had the words "Sam's Chicken and Ribs" on it; ICC forced him to amend this to "Sam's" in subsequent games. A good-size crowd, with no partisan concern, watched everything benignly.

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