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South Africa set daunting target

Daryll Cullinan hit 60 from 51 balls as South Africa scored a challenging 278 for eight off 50 overs against India in the re-played triangular series final in Durban yesterday.

South Africa, unbeaten in the tournament, from which Zimbabwe were eliminated, at one point looked set to break the 300 mark. But seamer Venkatesh Prasad took two wickets in consecutive deliveries in the 44th over to check South Africa's momentum.

Wednesday's match had been abandoned because of rain, with South Africa 42 for one in reply to India's 191 for nine, and the players had no sooner left the field yesterday after the home side's innings than the rain returned and the covers had to be brought on.

The South African captain, Hansie Cronje, won his first toss of the tournament and decided to take full advantage of a good batting pitch at the Kingsmead ground. The opening pair, Gary Kirsten and Andrew Hudson, built a solid foundation with a confident partnership of 44 in 11 overs under leaden skies.

Although Hudson was then given out for 19, caught behind off fast bowler Javagal Srinath, Kirsten and Jacques Kallis lifted the tempo with a second-wicket partnership of 86 in 92 balls.

Kirsten, after completing his fourth half-century of the tournament from 65 deliveries, was caught in the deep for 51 attempting to pull all-rounder Robin Singh.

Kallis, having made 49, then departed to the next ball, trapped leg before as he drove at Singh.

However, Cullinan and Jonty Rhodes (41) then increased the run rate to nearly six an over with an exhilarating partnership of 91 in 81 balls.