South Africa recorded an emphatic nine-wicket win over West Indies at East London today to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the one-day international series.
The Proteas rolled over their Caribbean visitors for a meagre 122 and took just 24.4 overs to chase down their modest target for the loss of one wicket.
Vernon Philander dismissed openers Dwayne Smith and Chris Gayle for single figures as the Windies fell to 6-2 inside the first four overs.
Narsingh Deonarine (10) and Marlon Samuels (26) briefly steadied the ship before the fragile West Indies batting lineup collapsed from 33-2 to 96-9, with Imran Tahir doing most of the damage with 4-28.
Only a last-wicket stand of 26 between rookie skipper Jason Holder (17 not out) and Sulieman Benn took the tourists past 100, and a sorry innings was ended inside 35 overs when the latter was stumped for 18.
The Proteas lost Rilee Rossouw (7) early on to a mistimed hook off Holder, but Faf du Pleases came together with Hashim Amla to confidently knock off the runs in less than half of the allotted overs.
Amla finished with an unbeaten 61 at almost a run a ball, while Du Plessis managed to reach his own half-century in time, freeing his arms after a subdued start to hit five boundaries in his knock of 51.
AB de Villiers, who smashed a record-breaking hundred in the previous ODI, was not needed as South Africa sealed a series victory with two matches remaining and inflicted another heavy defeat on Holder's side.
Joe Fish
