Windies in must-win match

DURBAN: West Indies face South Africa in Durban today with the one-day series already on the line. The hosts took a 2-0 advantage in the five-match series with a win by 209 runs in Cape Town on Sunday and by 16 runs on Wednesday in Port Elizabeth. “Durban is a do-or-die situation for us, and we need to put our best foot forward there,” visiting captain Brian Lara said. South Africa have named an unchanged squad for the remaining matches. “The team have performed superbly so far in the series and we don’t see any need to make changes,” said chief of selectors Omar Henry. “We are also mindful of retaining some continuity as this is, in effect, the start of a series of 11 one-day internationals on the trot if you take into account the New Zealand tour.”

Graeme Smith’s side leave for New Zealand on February 7 to play six one-day internationals, followed by three Tests. Three players in the squad, all-rounder Albie Morkel, batsman Ashwell Prince, and reserve wicket-keeper Morne van Wyk, have yet to appear in the series.
The hosts have a good record at Kingsmead, with 10 victories in 17 one-day matches, although their last was the rain-affected tie that ruined their World Cup campaign. But despite Durban’s reputation for helping bowlers when the floodlights are on, the side batting second has won eight of the 18 day/night matches held there.

Teams -
SOUTH AFRICA: Graeme Smith (capt), Mark Boucher (wkt), Boeta Dippenaar, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Lance Klusener, Albie Morkel, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Robin Peterson, Shaun Pollock, Ashwell Prince, Jacques Rudolph, Morne van Wyk.
WEST INDIES: Brian Lara (capt), Ramnaresh Sarwan, Ian Bradshaw, Shivanarine Chanderpaul, Corey Collymore, Mervyn Dillon, Vasbert Drakes, Fidel Edwards, Chris Gayle, Ryan Hurley, Ricardo Powell, Ridley Jacobs (wkt), Ravindarnath Rampaul, Dwayne Smith, Kurt Wilkinson.