Jacques Kallis’ phenomenal run scoring spree against the West Indies continued apace at the Wanderers on Wednesday as South Africa stormed to a four wicket win.
Kallis has proved to be the Windies’ nemesis throughout the summer so it was fitting that he would lead the most exhilarating run chase of the series.
In pursuit of 305 to clinch the series 3-1, the hosts surged to 310 for six — their highest and most successful run chase — with two balls to spare.
With the asking rate approaching nine to the over, Kallis ripped the throat out of the Windies’ attack — making 139 from 142 balls, a career best.
Remarkably, it was Kallis’ sixth ton against the tourists this summer, four of which were scored in successive Test matches.
At 187 for three with less than 15 overs remaining, the outcome of the game — as well as the series — hung in the balance. After a lull, Jacques Rudolph belted 12 runs from a single Corey Collymore over to kick-start the revival.
From then on though it was almost entirely Kallis’ show as the pair put on 90 in 65 balls to take South Africa within sight of victory before Rudolph holed out for 35.
Lance Klusener, however, fell cheaply and then Kallis was dismissed in the penultimate over as Ravi Rampaul conceded just one run.
Needing eight off the last over, Shaun Pollock drove Chris Gayle for four, two and an enormous straight six off successive balls to seal the win.
The West Indies were earlier given a fantastic chance of levelling the limited overs series after embarking on a Gayle inspired rampage. Gayle smashed 12 fours and three sixes in making 152 not out from 153 balls to spur the tourists to 304 for two.
The lanky Gayle, having made two Test centuries this summer at an astonishingly brisk pace, put on 193 for the first wicket with Shivnarine Chanderpaul to provide the Windies with the ideal launching pad.
To take advantage of that platform, Brian Lara sent himself in at No 3 but failed to really get going.
He made 11 before he flicked Lance Klusener to Makhaya Ntni on the square leg boundary.
Ricardo Powell though made far better use of the platform. While Gayle swung mightily at virtually everything thrown at him, Powell either played his own powerful strokes or rotated the strike cleverly.
In the final overs, he launched himself at the local attack, making an undefeated 49 from 44 balls, hitting four fours and two sixes.
Kallis bore the brunt of that onslaught, the final over of the innings costing 15 runs.
Shaun Pollock apart, the South African attack laboured against the Windies.
While Pollock’s first eight overs cost a meagre 20 runs, his team mates were hammered.
Robin Peterson, before sustaining a side strain, went for 22 in three overs, Ntini’s opening seven cost 41 while Kallis conceded 16 in his opening two overs.
Pollock’s economical figures though were ruined by Gayle’s assault in the closing stages of the innings. His final two overs cost 27 runs.
Not only were the South Africans expensive, they were also unable to make a breakthrough.
The breakthrough, when it came in the 39th over, was made by part-time spinner Graeme Smith.
Chanderpaul had heaved the South African skipper for six the previous ball but then picked out Jacques Rudolph on the fence the next delivery to be out for 85.
His invaluable knock followed the 92 he blasted at Centurion on Sunday to set up the Windies’ sole victory. – Sapa