Boucher and Klusener in the pouring rain (Getty Images)
South Africa v Sri Lanka
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Rain ruined South Africa's hopes of winning the World Cup on home soil.
Needing to beat Sri Lanka in Durban to stand any chance of reaching the Super
Six, the hosts had to settle for a tie under the Duckworth/Lewis method.
The weather had intervened with South Africa 229 for six and needing 40 from
five overs to overhaul Sri Lanka's 268 for nine.
The result means both sides receive two points each and that Sri Lanka
progress to the Super Six alongside Kenya and New Zealand.
It is the second time rain has ruined a South Africa World Cup campaign
following their infamous semi-final against England in 1992.
South Africa had made a flying start in response to a testing target under the
floodlights at Kingsmead.
Herschelle Gibbs cracked a superb 73 which kept the run rate within range
until he was brilliantly bowled by Muttiah Muralitharan.
A sixth-wicket partnership of 63 between Shaun Pollock and Mark Boucher then
kept hopes alive before the South Africa captain was brilliantly run out by
Muralitharan.
Lance Klusener then joined Boucher, who was unbeaten on 45, at the crease but
had little time to swing willow before the heavens opened.
The result left South Africa to rue their opening day defeat by the West
Indies and subsequent loss to New Zealand.
Sri Lanka's testing total was built around a superb century from Marvan
Atapattu.
The opener was in majestic form as he cracked 15 fours on his way to an
outstanding 124, his ninth one-day international century.
South Africa had started brightly with three early wickets but Atapattu found
a more than capable ally in Aravinda de Silva, who looked in equally good touch
for his 63rd one-day half-century.
The pair shared in a fourth wicket stand of 152 before both were undone as
they looked to increase the tempo in the final six overs of the innings.
Their dismissals took the wind out of the Sri Lanka innings as a score that at
one point looked like topping 300 petered out to 268 for nine. Jacques Kallis
finished the pick of the bowlers with three for 41.
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