On this day in 1992: The first official ODI in South Africa is played

South Africa have been one of the promising teams. They have given a tough fight against all their opponents in the last three decades. The cricket in the ‘Rainbow Nation’ faced turmoil from 1982 to 1990 when the African nation was suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 1970. They were kept away from the international arena for an indefinite period due to the apartheid policy of the South African government.

Back in the fold

The ban was lifted in 1991 and it made South Africa eligible for the 1992 World Cup in Australia & New Zealand where they made the semis. However, it was on this very day 30 years ago that the first official One Day International was played in South Africa.

The historic ODI was contested between South Africa and India in Cape Town. India skipper Mohammad Azharuddin won the toss and elected to bat. The visitors got off to a flier as Ajay Jadeja (48) and Woorkeri Raman (47) laid a solid foundation with a 92-run opening stand.

India fall apart

Unfortunately for the Indian team, once the well-set opening duo was dismissed, they suffered a dramatic collapse. They were bowled out for just 184. Only veteran Kapil Dev made some impact in the middle order with a run-a-ball 27. For the hosts, it was Hansie Cronje who starred with the ball with an outstanding fifer. He finished with figures of 5/32 from his 10 overs.

South Africa in reply ensured that there were not much too many hiccups. The top-order batting trio of skipper Kepler Wessels (43), Andrew Hudson (33), and Peter Kirsten (56) negated India. In the end, the Proteas got over the line successfully by six wickets. Hansie Cronje was adjudged the Man of the Match for his match-winning five-wicket haul.