West Indies v South Africa

5th Test, Kingston, Jamaica April 19-23 2001

WEST INDIES WON BY 130 RUNS
SOUTH AFRICA WON SERIES 2-1

COURTNEY'S LAST HURRAH

West Indies decided to make an effort for Courtney's final bow in the Test arena. It was a fitting end, after a fitful series for the West Indians, with Walsh taking six wickets to sign off on the winning side.

Opting to bat first, it was only another impressive Lara knock that gave backbone to West Indies batting frailties. Merv Dillon and Dinesh Ramnarine accompanied him, taking them past an unlikely 200. Meanwhile Shaun Pollock and Allan Donald were merrily raking in the wickets.

But from then on things did not go to plan for South Africa, as Courtney Walsh showed the way dismissing Gary Kirsten with only 9 on the board. Cameron Cuffy and Dillon joined in the fun and Neil McKenzie's dogged 45 apart the Proteas never settled losing their last four wickets for 4 runs, to hand the home side a decent first innings lead of 84.

Leon Garrick made a amends for hs debutant golden duck in the first inningsadding 47 with Chris Gayle to set the West Indies in motion. Then 59 from Marlon Samuels and an entertaining 85 from Ridley Jacobs (whose series average ended on 52.83), supported by the tail, took West Indies to a possible match-winning position.

Pollock had nine wickets to show for his efforts, but for once, the South African batsmen were not up to the challenge. Chasing 386, Courtney was in no mood to let things end on a sour note as he sent back West Indies nemesis of the series, Darryl Cullinan for 18.

At one point South Africa stood 190 for three, Gibbs, Kallis and McKenzie all topped fifty, giving a glimpse of victory. But they proceeded to crumble, losing seven for 65 to give West Indies a handsome victory, Courtney a fitting send off, and the team a small silver lining and glimmer of hope for future series.

Richard Kendall