South Africa v West Indies

At The Oval, September 18, 19. West Indies won by five wickets. West Indies 2 pts. Toss: West Indies.

West Indies edged into the semi-finals, courtesy of a rescue operation from their batsmen after rain had forced the match to spill over into the reserve day. Lara and Sarwan took charge once the openers had fallen early, before Chanderpaul, with a quickfire 51 off just 52 deliveries, majestically stroked his team home with seven balls to spare. It meant that South Africa's fine start went to waste. Smith and Gibbs had put on 102 for the first wicket after being asked to bat, with Gibbs going on to complete his 13th one-day international hundred - an innings he attributed to a good night's sleep following a pizza washed down by whisky. Rudolph's frisky 46 helped South Africa to a challenging 246 for six, before Pollock struck twice early on to maintain their advantage. West Indies consolidated with stands of 98 between Sarwan and Lara, and 83 between Sarwan and Chanderpaul. But with the asking-rate mounting, two successive towering leg-side sixes by Powell off Pollock in an over that cost 19 steadied their nerves. Man of the Match: R. R. Sarwan. Attendance: 15,100.

Close of play: West Indies 20-0 (6 overs) (Gayle 12, W. W. Hinds 6).