Natal thumped defending champions Griqualand West by 42 runs in their Standard Bank Cup match at Kingsmead on Wednesday night, claiming a bonus point for winning by more than 20% of the total.

Lance Klusener, with an innings of 48 off 64 balls, gave Natal a total to defend and their keen fielding and magnificent bowling saw them well on top against a competitive Griquas outfit.

In truth, the pitch - slow and with inconsistent bounce - meant that bowlers dominated throughout, and the innings of Klusener, the player of the World Cup, rescued Natal from potential disaster. The inspirational all-rounder came in at 113 for five in the 24th over and, with opener Doug Watson, whose resolute 70 was the highest score of the match, gave Natal a total (204 for eight) out of reach of the visitors.

Watson's 70, off 106 balls, was his 12th half-century in day/night domestic cricket and took him past 1300 runs in the competition. Having not done well at the crease, Natal then produced a fine display in the field to limit Griquas to 162 for nine in their 45 overs. All of the Natal bowlers stuck to their task superbly, bowling a tight line and length as Griquas battled to get any momentum - only Mickey Arthur (34) and Martyn Gidley (45) batting with any freedom.

Following his vital contribution with the bat, Klusener also performed strongly with the ball, ending with the very good figures of two for 31 in his nine overs. Natal's other international all-round star, Shaun Pollock, chipped in with the wickets of Willie Dry (19) and Andre Botha (17), as his nine overs cost just 23 runs.

Natal's fielding was also magnificent, with Jonty Rhodes having his usual influence, Mark Bruyns pulling off a brilliant running catch to dismiss Dry, and Errol Stewart taking two key catches behind the stumps while standing up to Benkenstein, who won the man of the match award for dismissing Arthur and Gidley, scoring 25 runs off 25 balls and leading his team astutely.

© CricInfo