West Indies v South Africa (3rd One-day)

Defending 274 but under pressure from the start as Shivnarine Chanderpaul got stuck into the bowling, Hansie Cronje's team kept their cool and attacked the West Indian batsmen with hostile, short-pitched deliveries that proved difficult to play on a Kingsmead pitch offering pace and bounce.

The controversial dismissal of Daryll Cullinan served to motivate the home team, with Jacques Kallis (three for 24), in particular, bowling as quickly as he ever has.

Cullinan was out handled the ball for 46 after he caught a delivery he had cut down into his crease. West Indian captain Brian Lara was the only member of his team to show any interest, but he insisted on standing by his appeal.

Chanderpaul went to a delightful half-century off just 40 balls as the West Indies raced to 88 in the 12th over, but Lance Klusener, who had just returned to the field having had stitches to a gash in his leg obtained in the first over, removed the in-form Guyanan with a fiery delivery just two runs later.

The courageous Klusener then ran out Junior Murray (24) eight balls later and Kallis produced a brilliant spell that removed Carl Hooper (1) and Keith Arthurton (13) via lifters, but Lara (32) and Keith Semple (22) kept the West Indies in the hunt with a fifth-wicket partnership of 39.

At 164 for four, needing 111 off 21 overs, the West Indies were still favourites with Lara looking well set. But Cronje's medium-pacers changed the match, wicketkeeper Mark Boucher helping with an extraordinary catch to remove Lara. Even Cronje was able to extract sharp lift and he also sent Ridley Jacobs packing for a duck with the assistance of Boucher and some extra bounce.

Against such focused bowling, the fragile West Indian batting was once again exposed and the South Africans managed to have them all out for 219 in the 44th over.

Although no South African batsman made a major score, solid top-order performances saw them make the second highest limited-overs international total at Kingsmead.

Herschelle Gibbs got the innings off on the right note by scoring 29 off 42 balls and playing some marvellous strokes - his two sixes off Reon King, the one flicked over long leg and the other off the back foot over point, were amongst the shots of the day.

The going was not quite as easy for Cullinan, opening for the first time in the series, but he was just beginning to get into his stride when his unlikely dismissal occured. Klusener had partnered him in a stand of 70 for the second wicket and he went on to the highest score of the innings, making 64 off 74 balls and always looking in complete control.

Cronje's top-class all-round effort began with a glorious 58 off just 42 balls that ensured the South Africans went in with a total not often bettered by sides batting second at Kingsmead.

South Africa now go to Port Elizabeth for Saturday's game 2-1 up in the seven-match series, but the selectors may still want to make a few changes. Cullinan, one of the senior batsmen, did not look totally at home opening and it may not be a bad idea to return him to the middle order, but the selectors' main focus will be on the bowling.

With Shaun Pollock a late withdrawal from the side due to pharyngitis, plus the injured Allan Donald and David Terbrugge not in the squad, more attention is needed to the new-ball bowlers, who came under the whip yesterday. Pat Symcox also bowled poorly, with far too many long-hops, and the senior citizen of the side could make way for Nicky Boje.