42.1 overs South Africa 187 for 4 (G Kirsten 87) beat India 183 all out (Dravid 77) by 7 wickets

A hiccup or two at the end proved to be nothing more than a mere irritant as South Africa cruised to a six-wicket victory against India in the final of the Standard Bank Summer Spice Tri-Series at Kingsmead in Durban. Gary Kirsten, consistency personified in the series, led the way with 87, but the real damage had been done by the South African seamers much earlier.

This was a contest only in name, South Africa's professionals outclassing India's rank amateurs from the opening over. Shaun Pollock had backed his bowlers to do the job after winning the toss, prompted no doubt by the torrential rain here over the past few days. And once the Indian openers departed, it was plain sailing for the hosts.

Ganguly was first to go, a wild charge at Pollock resulting only in an edge through to Mark Boucher. Tendulkar worked Nantie Hayward through midwicket for two boundaries but looked ill at ease against the miserly Pollock, whom he edged twice just wide of the slips. It was Hayward that captured the prize wicket, Tendulkar inside-edging a wide delivery onto the stumps.

Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid rebuilt the innings with some sensible batting. Sehwag played some powerful strokes square of the wicket and Dravid was all elegance driving down the track. The partnership of 60 proved to be a false dawn as India slumped miserably in mid innings. Sehwag started the slide, slashing a wide one from Ntini straight to Hayward at third man. VVS Laxman's contribution was minimal, a mistimed drive off Klusener superbly caught low down by Ntini running in from mid-off.

Yuvraj Singh departed for a second-ball duck, an atrocious shot with statuesque footwork giving Justin Kemp his first wicket, Pollock taking the catch at second slip. Dravid and Reetinder Sodhi restored some respectability with a 51-run partnership before the roof caved in on the innings.

Dravid, who had batted with customary maturity for his 77, hit a slower delivery from Kemp straight to Pollock at cover. Harbhajan went in identical fashion, scooping a slower one from Pollock to Kemp at extra cover; Srinath ran himself out in ridiculous fashion before Kemp came back to nab Kumble, Ntini taking a routine catch at mid-off. Once again, the bowlers had been superb. Pollock, with figures of 2 for 19, was parsimony itself while the unheralded Kemp wrapped up the tail with 3 for 20.

Though they needed to score at less than 4 an over, South Africa were off like a runaway train. Kirsten was the dominant partner, stroking the ball with his usual fluency square of the wicket. It could all have been so different had he been caught off Srinath's bowling early on. The edge was going straight to Sehwag at first slip, but Laxman dived across him, dropped the ball and India's slim chance had effectively gone.

The scoring rate slowed down once the spinners came on, and both batsmen had their problems picking Kumble and Harbhajan. Gibbs perished playing across the line to Harbhajan, the leading edge easily caught by the bowler. With Kallis dropping anchor at one end, Kirsten started to use his feet with more confidence, twice spanking Harbhajan down the ground for boundaries.

Kirsten was well on course for a third hundred of the series when Harbhajan snared him. Coming around the wicket, he got the ball to turn wickedly and Kirsten edged to Laxman at slip. Though he went for 46 from his spell, Harbhajan's bowling was one of the few bright spots for India. He will no doubt have a huge role to play in the Test series, against South African batsmen who look less than adept against spin; the same applies to Anil Kumble, who was a constant threat despite finishing wicketless.

Two wickets fell at the death, both to Tendulkar. Kallis played all over a yorker while Rhodes sauntered down the track to be stumped by yards. Neil McKenzie put an end to the slaughter with a pull off Agarkar. That South Africa had 47 deliveries to spare highlighted the difference between the sides.

India's losing streak in finals now stands at nine. At several moments during this match, you were left to wish that cricket were more like boxing. At least then, the Indian corner could have thrown in the towel.

Dileep Premachandran is assistant editor, Wisden.com India.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd