CRICKETERS as diligent and determined as Lance Klusener do not squander opportunities like this.

Promoted to open the innings against Northamptonshire, unmistakably a second division side in limited-overs cricket this season, the 26-year-old from Natal clubbed an unbeaten 142 from 132 balls to set up a conclusive, if not remotely demanding victory for the tourists at Wantage Road.

Klusener and his captain, Hansie Cronje, added 185 in 26 overs either side of a break for rain which reduced the match to 45 overs a side and brought the Duckworth/Lewis method of deciding the result into play. Northants' revised target of 287 always appeared distant though Russell Warren's composed 81, his first half-century of the summer, provided some cause for home optimism.

The omens for a close contest were hardly propitious. Kevin Curran's side bowed out of the NatWest Trophy at Bristol last week and have beaten only two first-class counties in one-day competitions this year.

Klusener and Gary Kirsten laid the foundations for a substantial South African total with an opening stand worth 75 before David Sales's spectacular leap at deep midwicket simultaneously saved a six and sent Kirsten on his way. Jacques Kallis missed out, edging behind when looking to drive Tony Penberthy. But Klusener's timing became more assured as the innings progressed, and he and Cronje had boosted the score to 163 for two from 30 overs when two brief downpours caused a delay of 80 minutes.

Thereafter, the charge left Northants' attack, not for the first time of late, looking and doubtless feeling battered and bruised. Devon Malcolm will always remember his nine wickets for 57 at the Oval in 1994 with pride; his nine overs for 53 against the same opposition four years on will be recalled by him altogether less fondly, if at all.

Cronje's magnificent blow over long-on off Malcolm was the highlight of a typically purposeful 78-ball knock, while Klusener finished in style with a savage straight drive which threatened the bowler Paul Taylor with decapitation.

For a team needing all the help they can get in the shorter game at present, the outcome of the recalculation, raising the target by 11 was hardly good news. Warren and Rob Bailey led off with 80 in 19 overs until the former captain, attempting a single to mid-on perished to Makhaya Ntini's direct hit. Mal Loy missed a chance to impress when he skied a hook from Ntini's first ball and the rest of the middle order surrendered meekly.

Warren, after hitting seven fours, holed out off Paul Adams seven overs from the end as Northants' challenge and the match ran out of steam.