Hall shines on dark afternoon

Traditionally a low-key affair - a one-day game with no restrictions or limitations - Sri Lanka's opening match in South Africa against a Nicky Oppenheimer XI at Randjesfontein ended utterly inconclusively because of bad light, but not before Andrew Hall had brightened up an ever darkening afternoon.

With Sri Lanka having batted through until a declaration at 296 for six brought about an early tea, the NFO would have had around 42 overs to reply. With a draw possible, the home side might have been expected to bat out time.

Not Hall, who went for it as if pursued by wild dogs. He smashed 10 fours and six in a 41-ball innings which produced 61 and took the NFO to 80 for no wicket in 10.4 overs before the umpires took the players off.

He was particularly severe on Dilhara Fernando, who went for 26 in two overs, and Chaminda Vaas (41 in five), but it was all to prove in vain as the weather closed in on Nicky Oppenheimer's charming private ground.

Earlier, the Sri Lankan batsmen had enjoyed what amounted to a middle practice against a decent NFO attack. Sanath Jayasuriya and Marvan Atapattu put on 123 for the first wicket with the captain getting 66 and the vice-captain 52 before Mahela Jayawardene helped himself to 70 and Russel Arnold made 53 before retiring.

It was very pleasant, but the Sri Lankans will probably have learned little they did not already know. They move on now to Port Elizabeth for a three-day match and a one-day warmup, both against Eastern Province, before the first one-day international in PE on December 15.