MICHAEL METELITS, Johannesburg | Saturday 5.30m.
SOUTH Africa took a 3-1 lead in the One-Day International (ODI) series with the West Indies with a commanding 99 run win on Saturday at St George’s Park.
Herschelle Gibbs and Hansie Cronje carried the day batting for South Africa, breaking a 3rd wicket record with 160 as Gibbs grabbed his first ODI century, with 125 off 146 deliveries.
South Africa finished at 278 for 6 after 50 overs, giving the West Indies a 279 run target. With Chanderpaul out for 21 early, and Hooper held to 58 this proved an impossible task. Hooper served as captain for the day, as Brian Lara took a rest.
Nicky Boje took three wickets giving up only six runs to clean up the Windies’ tailenders, and then caught Curtly Ambrose to end the match.
The West Indies need to win all three remaining matches in this best-of seven series, which seems more unlikely as the days roll on.