South Africa v West Indies

At Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo, September 13. South Africa won by two wickets. Toss: South Africa.

Settled from the last ball, this was the best finish of the tournament, and nearly the biggest upset. Chanderpaul's constipation and a brainstorm from Dillon sent West Indies sliding to a defeat they scarcely deserved. With one over left - they were docked one for bowling slowly - South Africa needed 13; had there been a crowd, they would have been on the edge of their seats. Pollock smashed Dillon's first ball for six, but after he and Klusener holed out, South Africa needed three from one. Dillon speared the ball down the left-handed Boje's leg side for a wide and a scampered bye to the keeper. Alan Dawson's meaty snick to third man settled it as Dillon looked heavenward in despair. Chanderpaul's tortuous 98-ball 45 - in contrast to the buccaneering Gayle - had held West Indies back in the face of disciplined bowling from Pollock and co, but late cameos from Sarwan and Jacobs lent respectability. The South African top order collapsed, only for Rhodes's effervescence and Dippenaar's firmness to turn the tide. Dillon led the fightback, but then came his faux pas.

Man of the Match: J. N. Rhodes.