South Africa beat the West Indies by two wickets off the last ball of thematch in a thrilling climax to the Pool 3 Champions Trophy clash at theSinhalese Sports Club on Friday.
Chasing 239 for victory in 49 overs after they were penalised for a slowover-rate, Shaun Pollock`s side needed 13 from the final over and then one fromthe last ball, and it was secured when Alan Dawson sliced Mervyn Dillon to thethird man boundary for four.
With Kenya the other side in pool 3, the result means South Africa are nowlikely semi-finalists, while the West Indies are facing an early exit from the12-team tournament.
Advertisement
South Africa had initially faltered in their chase, slumping to 61 for threein the 17th over after losing Herschelle Gibbs (8), Jacques Kallis (10) andGraeme Smith (33).
But gradually they appeared to gain control thanks to a stand of 117 betweenJonty Rhodes (61) and Boeta Dippenaar (53), a record fourth wicket partnershipfor South Africa against the West Indies.
However, when off-spinner Carl Hooper removed both men in the space of threeballs in the 40th over, the picture changed and the West Indies were firmly inthe driving seat with six balls remaining.
The pendulum swung first one way then the other in the final over and withone ball left three runs were still required.
Advertisement
But the West Indies cracked at the worst possible moment. Dillon bowled awide and the batsmen also ran leaving the scores level. Dawson then slashed theball to the vacant third man fence and South Africa had won.
Earlier, Chris Gayle had top-scored for the West Indies with a fluent 49 from55 balls after Shaun Pollock had won the toss and decided to bowl first.
But when the left-hander fell, with the score at 63 in the 15th over,Hooper`s men struggled to maintain the momentum he had provided and had to becontent with what appeared to be a modest score.
Hooper (27) and Brian Lara (21) both threatened to play the major innings,but both were dismissed just as they seemed set to break free.
It was left to Ramnaresh Sarwan (36) and Ridley Jacobs (25) to provide somelate impetus as 70 runs came from the final ten overs of the innings.
Allan Donald claimed his 250th one-day international wicket, the first SouthAfrican to reach the mark, when he had Wavell Hinds caught by Kallis.
Brief Scores: West Indies 238 for 8 wkts in 50 overs (Chris Gayle 49,Shivnarine Chanderpaul 45, Ramnaresh Sarwan 36; Shaun Pollock 1 for 35, AlanDawson 1 for 51) lost to South Africa 242 for 8 wkts in 49 overs (Jonty Rhodes61, Boeta Dippenaar 53, Mark Boucher 23, Lance Klusener 23; Mervyn Dillon 4 for60, Carl Hooper 3 for 42) by 2 wkts.
