Date-stamped : 02 Dec93 - 22:02 South Africa v Prime Minister's XI, Match Report Played at the Manuka Oval, Canberra, 2 Dec 93 On a slowish pitch the Prime Ministers XI defeated South Africa. South Africa restricted a strong PM's batting lineup to 156 for 8 off a rain restricted 42 overs. Openers Matt Hayden and Justin Langer got off to a slow but solid start being 1-100 before the lower order was unable to force the pace without losing wickets. The eventual total was not impressive, but with Tom Moody bowl- ing particularly well on this pitch South Africa were in early trouble at 4-76 in the 32nd over before Cronje and McMillan moved the scoring rate along but 4 run outs finished their cause with Cronje and McMillan both run out. ====> MORE The South African cricket team began their Australian tour on a bad note, losing against the prime ministers XI by four runs. The team is currently plagued by injuries and illnesses to key players, and struggled to put together a team of 11 fit players. According to Kepler Wessels, there is no reason for panic at this stage. The home team won the toss, and decided to bat first. They scored 156/8 in 42 overs, after rain interupted the match, and the overs had to be reduced. The South Africans, without Allan Donald, Richard Snell and Daryll Cullinan, were all out for 152 in exact- ly 42 overs. Andrew Hudson, the opening batsman, batted at nr. 11, because of flu, and Dave Ricahrdson, the nr. 7 batsman, had to open with Kepler Wessels. Man of the match was Hansie Cronje. Thanks to Marius Coetzee on r.s.c. Contributed by Phil Shead (drinnen@deakin.edu.au)