South Africans keep heads in Montserrat

South Africa kept their heads and ultimately ran out comfortable five wicket victors over the Vice Chancellor's XI at the beautiful Salem Oval in Montserrat on Thursday, the tourists winning with 12 balls to spare. It was not a polished performance, but as a public relations exercise it was a triumph as half the island's population made the most of a national holiday to enjoy some international cricket.

Boeta Dippenaar (52) and Lance Klusener (41) were the backbone of a stuttering South African run-chase, but once again captain Shaun Pollock underlined his magnificent form with the bat. Pollock smashed the winning runs with a four over midwicket to finish 37 not out. He was kept good company towards the end by fast bowler Roger Telemachus, who struck a belligerent unbeaten 20.

Earlier, South Africa dismissed the University of the West Indies Vice-Chancellor's XI for 218 from 47.5 overs. It was a good effort from the South African bowlers, who gave the batsmen little opportunity to free their arms in search of the boundary ropes. Only left-arm spinner Paul Adams was hit for six, once by test batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul and then again byretired West Indian fast bowler Curtly Ambrose, who is the match honouree. Adams got his own back.

Chanderpaul top scored for the Vice-Chancellor' XI, striking 70 classy runs off 72 balls with a six and eight fours, but the rest of the batting order failed to fire after a useful start from captain Daren Ganga (45) and Leon Garrick (29).

Allan Donald, back in the side after missing the fourth test with a strained right hamstring, picked up 2-36 from wight overs, while all-rounder Justin Kemp finished with 3-35, also from eight overs.