A virtuoso performance from Lara

Inspired by an innings of 116 by Brian Lara that immediately re-established his place among the greats of the modern game, the West Indies revival, so unmistakably initiated in his absence in India three months ago, was confirmed here yesterday before the watching cricket world.

His virtuoso performance in the opening contest of the World Cup, against stunned hosts and second favourites South Africa, was in his first encounter of any meaning since September 15 when he was stricken by the debilitating illness that kept him out of the game for four months.

It earned him the Man Of The Match award in a remarkable West Indies victory by three runs. But it was only one of the many highlights of a classic encounter.

As an advertisement for the remainder of a tournament previously enmeshed in commercial and political controversy, it was so perfect it could have been scripted by Dr Ali Bacher and his organising committee.

For the 25 000 South Africans packing the Newlands Stadium, waving their flags, cheering their heroes and overwhelming the small group of supporters from the Caribbean and Bermuda, the defeat, however narrow, was a disappointment. But no one could have asked for better entertainment.

To watch a master craftsman at work, such as Lara was over three hours and 134 balls, is always worth any money. But there was much, much more.

The day produced 553 runs and the outcome was not decided until the penultimate ball when Ramnaresh Sarwan held the catch on the extra-cover boundary off Makhaya Ntini that left South Africa with the impossibility of scoring eight from Vasbert Drakes' last ball.

Left-hander Nicky Boje swung it for four but joyful West Indians on and off the field were already celebrating. After completing the job, those on it ran across to the flag-waving group of West Indians opposite the pavilion to express their appreciation.

Lara's measured batting led the West Indies through the darkness of seven for two after seven overs and 67 for two after half their 50 overs were through into the light that finally dazzled in a closing partnership of exhilarating, clean hitting worth 63 off 28 balls between the two young tryos, Ricardo Powell and Sarwan.

The West Indies then kept claiming regular wickets and their triumph seemed all but settled at 204 for seven in the 41st of the 49 overs to which South Africa were reduced by their slow over-rate.

Suddenly, Lance Klusener, whose awesome hitting earned him the Man Of The Tournament title in the previous World Cup in England in 1996, kept smiting leg-side sixes, five in all, electrifying the previously muted crowd once more as the target rapidly dwindled.

The equation was reduced to 14 off two overs and nine off the last. Klusener swung a full toss from Vasbert Drakes, third ball of the last over, into the hands of captain Carl Hooper at deep midwicket, deliberately positioned there the previous delivery by the bowler.

When Ntini swatted the fifth into Sarwan's grasp, it was effectively over. Not even a six by the left-handed Boje could have changed it. His four was meaningless.