Warne's last drive hit the stumps in the 2002 match

But perhaps the most exciting one-day international in history was the 1999 World Cup semi-final at Edgbaston, when not even the number of wickets lost could separate the two sides,

But Australia's better previous record meant that they went through to the showpiece game, while South Africa suffered what must have felt like their heaviest defeat.

A see-saw match saw Australia limp to 213 all out, and South Africa then falter early as they chased a seemingly easy target, Warne the main man again, taking three top-order wickets in eight balls without conceding a run.

Needing 70 runs off the last 10 overs, South Africa looked in trouble, by Lance Klusener's big-hitting kept them on the pace despite wicketsfalling at the other end.

But, with three balls left in the final over, Klusener set off after hitting the ball to mid on. Allan Donald, however, refused to budge from the other end, allowing the Australians to run him out with ease.

Klusener, knowing what had happened, just kept running back to the pavilion, without turning back.

Tests disappointing

The match was just the latest in a history of hard-fought matches between two of cricket's biggest rivals and mouths were watering when the two-legged six-Test season was announced for this year.

But the Clash of the Titans in Test cricket failed to live up to expectations, with Pollock's side ruthlessly exposed for their shortcomings.

South Africa had things far from their own way in the one-day series in Australia, too, losing three of their four matches against their hosts.

But Australia's poor form against New Zealand saw them crash from the series finals.

Including Wednesday, these sides will play 11 times in 2002

And the reaction from the Australian public to seeing their two biggest rivals supplant them was a major factor in Steve Waugh's replacement as captain.

In Test cricket South Africa's young bowlers are simply not incisive enough and their batsmen unable to withstand sustained bouts of aggression.

But with the pressure off in the one-day game they are able to match Australia blow for blow, setting up some of the most exciting matches on record.

Fans in both countries never seem to tire of fixtures between the two sides.

Since that World Cup meeting, there have been 13 more one-day matches, and the sides will have faced off 11 times in 2002 by the end of the current series.

Since South Africa's readmission to the international game, they have played Australia 52 times in the one-day arena, winning 23, while their rivals have 26 victories.

And the three ties that make up the total prove just how close the sport's biggest rivals really are.