The 2005–06 edition of the VB Series (so-called because of sponsor Victoria Bitter) was a three-team One Day International men's cricket tournament held in Australia in January and February 2006, between the hosting nation's team, South Africa and Sri Lanka.

South Africa had already been touring Australia for a month, but did not win any of their four first-class matches, and lost the Test series 0–2.

A five-over partnership worth 22 between Bichel and wicket-keeper Chris Hartley took Queensland past 50, before Monde Zondeki had two men caught in the sixteenth over.

South Africans won by 46 runs[3] Half-centuries from Jacques Kallis and Ashwell Prince, who shared a fourth-wicket stand worth 109, took the visitors to a total of seven for 234 after losing two wickets in the first four overs, and though captain Chris Simpson took three for 40 and top-scored with 55 in the reply, the Academy team was bowled out for 188, with Andrew Hall and Johan Botha taking three wickets each.

Sri Lanka's two most experienced bowlers, Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan, had combined bowling figures of 20–1–140–0, and Australia's total of five for 318 was eventually enough in securing a bonus point.

Damien Martyn, playing his first international for three months after he was dropped from the Test side and missed the Chappell–Hadlee Trophy through injury, top-scored with 70, and Simon Katich and Andrew Symonds also hit half-centuries.

Though Mahela Jayawardene made a half-century, Sri Lanka's final total was not enough to prevent Australia from gaining a bonus point.

This decision was criticised after the game, with Cricinfo journalist Jenny Thompson claiming the toss would "probably be first up" on the list of reasons why South Africa lost.

South Africa got a wicket in the sixth over when Garnett Kruger dismissed Upul Tharanga, but half-centuries from Jehan Mubarak and Kumar Sangakkara carried the team to 145 for 2, and a further five batsmen made it into double figures as the Sri Lankans closed on six for 282.

Graeme Smith was Man of the Match due to his all-round efforts, dismissing Jehan Mubarak, Sanath Jayasuriya and Mahela Jayawardene to take the first three wickets for South Africa and help them bowl out Sri Lanka for 221.

Defending a total of 281, Brett Lee took four wickets including Graeme Smith in the first over, and South Africa were limited to 201 as Australia grabbed a win and the bonus point.

The Australians panicked conceding 5 run outs (4 to Dilshan) and a late rally from Michael Clarke couldn't save them.