Australia v Sri Lanka

At Brisbane, January 15, 2003 (day/night). Australia won by four wickets. Australia 5 pts, Sri Lanka 1 pt. Toss: Sri Lanka.

Australia's victory was tainted by a dreadful outburst from Darren Lehmann. After being run out, Lehmann shouted a racist obscenity in the Australian dressing-room and was overheard by the Sri Lankans. They complained to the referee, Clive Lloyd, but after verbal and written apologies from Lehmann their anger was assuaged, which influenced Lloyd to restrict himself to a severe reprimand. But the ICC's chief executive, Malcolm Speed, decided to lay charges and, after a further hearing at Adelaide on January 18, Lloyd imposed a five-match ban - the first such penalty for a racist offence in international cricket. Out in the middle, the match was decided by a welljudged 45 from Bevan. Chasing a moderate total, Australia were in control at 76 for no wicket, but then lost four - three to Muralitharan - for 24 in the space of 11 overs. Lehmann and Bevan ate away at the target, however, and Sri Lanka were dealt a mortal blow when Murali suffered a thigh injury in the field. He returned to bowl his final two overs from a standing start and claimed a fourth wicket, but Bevan won the game with only his second four.

Man of the Match: M. G. Bevan.