Gibbs ton restores parity for SA

A century by Herschelle Gibbs, and his record 179-run second wicket stand with Jacques Kallis, helped power South Africa to a win in the second one dayer in a seven game series now on in the Caribbean.

South Africa totalled 221/2 at the Antigua Recreation Ground, in response to the Windies total of 220/8 in the allotted 50 overs.

Batting first, the Windies reached 51 without loss at the 15-over mark, thanks mainly to a fine display by opener Chris Gayle, who went on to record a fine half century off 70 balls, before being superbly caught by SA skipper Shaun Pollock off a slower ball by Lance Klusener.

Opening partner Leon Garrick, who made a painstaking 16 off 61 balls, lost his wicket in a dreadful mix up, as Jacques Kallis collected a drive on his follow through to take out Garrick at the non-striker's end.

Shivnaraine Chanderpaul anchored the middle with a good 60, including an assault on Klusener that fetched two sixes. Brian Lara, however, was out cheaply yet again, this time driving a slower ball from Klusener tamely to Pollock at mid off for 13.

Skipper Carl Hooper chipped in with a lively 48, but the total of 220/8 always looked a touch inadequate on a decent wicket against a deep batting line.

Gibbs began cautiously, before moving into top gear against first change bowler Nixon McLean, whose first two overs cost 25 runs including a huge six from Gibbs, who danced almost halfway down the wicket to take the pace bowler on the half volley.

Kallis, equally circumspect at the start of his innings, accelerated nicely in the middle overs, at one point smashing Chris Gayle out of the stadium and into the town centre.

Gibbs' 104 off 141 balls included eight fours and three sixes, Kallis weighed in with an unbeaten 78 off 112 deliveries to add to his two wickets in the Windies innings, and Jonty Rhodes finished things off with a cavalier cameo of 21 not out to seal the win.

South Africa and Windes are now level on 1-1, with five games yet to play.