McKenzie's 80 leads South Africa to victory
Source: IOL - April 18, 2003

Dhaka - Neil McKenzie made a well-paced 80 to lead South Africa to a five-wicket victory over India in a triangular one-day match on Friday.

The 27-year-old stroked six boundaries in his 107-ball innings and shared in vital partnerships with Jacques Rudolph and Mark Boucher to see the South Africans home after they had slumped to 42 for three, chasing 215.

Allan Dawson and Makhaya Ntini did the damage for the South Africans, sharing seven wickets between them, with Dawson claiming career best figures of four for 49 as the Indians were bowled out for 215 with five balls to spare.

But South Africa were in trouble early after new captain Graeme Smith, who had been tied down by some tight bowling by Aavishkar Salvi and Ajit Agarkar, was caught behind for two with his side on 11.

Indians were bowled out for 215 with five balls Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh then bowled Boeta Dippenaar and trapped Herschelle Gibbs leg before two balls later to reduce South Africa 42 for three in the 12th over.

Rudolph, who top-scored with 81 in his team's 93-run victory over Bangladesh on Thursday, and McKenzie then shared in a 63-run fourth wicket partnership.

The pair had taken South Africa past the 100-run mark when Rudolph fell to part-time offspinner Virender Sehwag, who had the 21-year-old caught at cover off a leading edge.

But McKenzie then dug in with Mark Boucher (44 not out) to share in a 107-run partnership that brought the South Africans to the brink of victory.

Earlier, the 33-year-old Dawson, playing in his 10th one-day international, received good support from Ntini, who claimed three for 37, to head a disciplined bowling display by South Africa.

Sehwag lasted only eight deliveries India captain Saurav Ganguly top-scored with 61 and shared in a second-wicket stand of 89 with Mohammad Kaif (30), but the rest of the team struggled against an impressive South African seam attack on a slow pitch.

Ntini dealt India two early blows after Ganguly won the toss and opted to bat first.

He had left-hander Gautam Gambhir (2) caught at second slip, and then struck Sehwag on the right forearm as the opener shaped to play back to a sharply lifting delivery.

Sehwag, on 14 with India 32 for one, retired hurt but subsequent x-rays revealed only tissue damage. He returned with his arm heavily bandaged, with his side on 146 for four in the 36th over.

However, he looked in discomfort and lasted only eight deliveries, hitting Andrew Hall for a one-handed six over point before edging the same bowler to cover later in the over.

The Indians then lost wickets at regular intervals and a total of 200 seemed unlikely when they were reduced to 192 for nine, before number 10 Sarandeep Singh (19) smashed a quick 23 runs with Aavishkar Salvi (4) in just 19 balls.

South Africa and India meet again in Sunday's final.