Kallis sets up S. African win

ST. GEORGE'S (GRENADA), MAY 6. Jacques kallis hit his seventh one-day International century as South Africa hammered the West Indies by 132 runs in the third one-day International at Queen's Park on Saturday.

Kallis made 107 in a South African total of 287 for four after West Indian captain Carl Hooper sent the tourists in on a good batting pitch. With the visiting captain Shaun Pollock taking three wickets in his opening spell, West Indies was never on target to win and was bowled out for 155. South Africa have gone 2-1 ahead in the seven-match series with the fourth contest scheduled at the same venue on Sunday.

West Indies gambled by strengthening their batting at the expense of their pace bowling, with Cameron Cuffy and Mervyn Dillon the only fast men in its line-up. South Africa made a flying start, with Herschelle Gibbs following up his century, in the second match, with a cavalier 46 off 48 balls, which included drives for six off both Cuffy and Dillon. Gibbs and Gary Kirsten, who returned to form with an innings of 50, put on 88 for the first wicket before Gibbs went for one big hit and was caught off left- arm spinner Neil McGarrell in the 15th over.

Kallis played a measured innings, placing the ball skillfully and hitting only four fours before he had a lucky escape when he was on 86. Kallis thrashed offspinner Chris Gayle to midwicket. Both Cuffy and Dillon went for the ball before Cuffy pulled away. Dillon held it but stepped on the boundary before tossing it infield to Cuffy. The decision was referred to television umpire Evelyn Jones who ruled it was six to Kallis.

Kallis then hit Robert Samuels, another offspinner, for six to raise his century off 105 balls before he hit a hard return catch to Gayle in the final over.

The West Indies sent in big-hitting Ricardo Powell to open its innings but his partner Chris Gayle chipped a catch to mid-on off Pollock's fourth ball of the innings.

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Section  : Sport
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