South Africa beat West Indies to clinch series 4-1

Centurion, Jan 29: Hashim Amla and Rilee Rossouw both hit centuries for the second time in the series to set up a 131-run win for South Africa in the fifth and final ODI against the West Indies at SuperSport Park on Wednesday.

Amla made 133 and Rossouw powered his way to 132 in a South African total of 361 for five in an innings reduced to 42 overs because of rain. West Indies were bowled out for 230 in reply with left-arm pace bowler Wayne Parnell taking four for 42.

The win completed a 4-1 series victory for South Africa in the last match both teams will play before travelling to Australia and New Zealand for the World Cup.

Amla and Rossouw punished a lacklustre West Indian bowling attack as they equalled their own South African record for any wicket by putting on 247 for the third wicket.

They set the mark with a first wicket stand in the second match in Johannesburg when both also hit hundreds and provided a platform for AB de Villiers to hit the fastest century in one-day international history.

De Villiers was rested for Wednesday's game, along with all four of South Africa's first-choice specialist bowlers.

"While batting we were only trying to hit every ball for a boundary and it turned out well," said Amla.

"There was time in the series when we were under pressure but having everyone in good nick is good for our chances in the World Cup.

" West Indian captain Jason Holder sent South Africa in to bat and initially it seemed a good move as the batsmen struggled to time the ball on a pitch which had spent most of the day under the covers as steady drizzle delayed the start by two-and-a-half hours.

"We just let it slip in the middle and we didn't really bowl well," admitted Holder.

We were't consistent and lost wickets at regular intervals. Our batsmen need to take responsibility and they need to bat till the end."

AFP