South Africa wrapped up the five-Test series with two matches to spare at Kingsmead, Durban, yesterday in another one-sided game which suggests that West Indies can no longer be considered part of the upper echelon of Test-playing countries.
In Port Elizabeth two weeks ago the match lasted three days; this one was a session and a half longer. Gary Kirsten was 71 not out with nine boundaries off 152 deliveries as South Africa moved to 147 for one for victory. Herschelle Gibbs, no doubt buoyed by his outstanding fielding on Monday, contributed a fluent 49 before falling lbw to Carl Hooper's off-spin.
Gibbs's was the only wicket to fall as West Indies went through the motions in a manner that suggested not only that this tour cannot end soon enough but that it should never have begun.
With a clear dividing line being drawn between the established stars and the youngsters, someone needed to stand up and be counted. Franklyn Rose did oblige with seven wickets in the first innings and a spirited performance with the bat. Yesterday he was given the new ball ahead of Courtney Walsh. Although he did not look dangerous in his first spell, he bowled a fiery burst after lunch before South Africa reached their target.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)