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South Africa snatch thrilling win

South Africa beat the West Indies by two wickets off the last ball of the match in a thrilling climax to the Pool 3 Champions Trophy clash at the Sinhalese Sports Club on Friday.

Chasing 239 for victory in 49 overs, after they were penalised for a slow over-rate, Shaun Pollock's side needed 13 from the final over and then one from the last ball, and it was secured when Alan Dawson sliced Mervyn Dillon to the third man boundary for four.

With Kenya the other side in Pool 3, the result means South Africa are now likely semi-finalists, while the West Indies are facing an early exit from the 12-team tournament.

South Africa had initially faltered in their chase, slumping to 61 for three in the 17th over after losing Herschelle Gibbs (8), Jacques Kallis (10) and Graeme Smith (33).

But gradually they appeared to gain control thanks to a stand of 117 between Jonty Rhodes (61) and Boeta Dippenaar (53), a record fourth wicket partnership for South Africa against the West Indies.

However, when off-spinner Carl Hooper removed both men in the space of three balls in the 40th over, the picture changed and the West Indies were firmly in the driving seat with six balls remaining.

The pendulum swung first one way then the other in the final over and with one ball left three runs were still required.

But the West Indies cracked at the worst possible moment. Dillon bowled a wide and the batsmen also ran leaving the scores level. Dawson then slashed the ball to the vacant third man fence and South Africa had won.

Earlier, Chris Gayle had top-scored for the West Indies with a fluent 49 from 55 balls after Shaun Pollock had won the toss and decided to bowl first.

But when the left-hander fell, with the score at 63 in the 15th over, Hooper's men struggled to maintain the momentum he had provided and had to be content with what appeared to be a modest score.

Hooper (27) and Brian Lara (21) both threatened to play the major innings, but both were dismissed just as they seemed set to break free.

It was left to Ramnaresh Sarwan (36) and Ridley Jacobs (25) to provide some late impetus as 70 runs came from the final ten overs of the innings.

Allan Donald claimed his 250th one-day international wicket, the first South African to reach the mark, when he had Wavell Hinds caught by Kallis.

Scoreboard

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