Another disastrous top order collapse ruined any hope Western Province had of chasing down a mountainous target on the final day of this SuperSport Series Super Six match.

Despite dismissing the visitors quickly on the final morning, the target of 372 in a minimum of 97 overs was always going to be a tough ask. Eventually, despite some brave batting from Andrew Puttick and Alan Dawson, KwaZulu-Natal ran out comfortable winners by 159 runs.

Strangely, and in contradiction to the playing conditions, the seven overs lost to bad light the previous evening were not made up. However, Roger Telemachus and Alan Dawson soon compensated for that by dismissing the last three batsmen in the space of less than five overs. Nixon McLean was visibly disappointed when he was adjudged lbw despite playing far forward, the fifth batsman to be dismissed in this manner in the innings. The free-scoring Goolam Bodi faced just three balls in 22 minutes before being last man out.

The WP openers made a confident start, with Andrew Puttick looking impressive. A confident lbw appeal by Lance Klusener against Rashaad Magiet failed, prompting the fast bowler to come all the way down the pitch to have a quiet word with Magiet. This did the trick for KZN, as Klusener's next delivery uprooted the middle stump, prompting a collaps which saw the next three batsmen out for ducks as WP slumped from 24/0 to 25/4 in the space of 21 balls, and the match was all but lost.

Puttick and Jonathan McLean weathered the storm until lunch, aided by a hamstring injury which forced Nixon McLean to leave the field after bowling just eight overs. He did not return, nor indeed did he need to. After lunch, they extended their partnership to 72 before being well caught in the covers by Doug Watson. Thami Tsolekile batted with some spirit before going the same way.

Still needing 249 in 42 overs after tea, Dawson and Puttick both started hitting out in a desperate charge. Puttick was fortunate to be dropped twice by the inappropriately named substitute, Lucky Dladla, hooking Klusener. It was third time lucky for KZN as Puttick took on Dladla, fielding on the mid wicket boundary this time, to end a useful partnership of 68 from just 73 balls. Claude Henderson perished driving uppishly, but Telemachus hooked well for two boundaries before Dawson plucky innings of 48 from 49 balls, which included 4 fours and two sixes, came to an end.

Charl Willoughby was unable to bat due to his injury sustained the previous day, and KZN won by 159 runs to ensure themselves a home final against Northerns. Jon Kent's consistent all round play, twice making important contributions with the bat and picking up some vital wickets, earned him the Man of the Match award. Andrew Puttick, already assuming the veteran tag in the WP team at the tender age of 21, was named Recruit of the Match.

© Cricinfo