28 Feb 2010

South Africa claim consolation victory in third and final one dayer against India

6:54 am on 28 February 2010

AB de Villiers and Jacques Kallis hammered centuries to set up South Africa's consolation 90-run victory over India in their third and final one-day cricket clash.

De Villiers cracked a quickfire 102 not out for his sixth hundred and skipper Kallis a solid unbeaten 104 for his 17th century as South Africa posted their highest one-day total of 365 for 2 against India.

De Villiers's century came off just 58 deliveries, the seventh-fastest in one-day cricket history.

India, who rested openers Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag, and pacemen Praveen Kumar and Ashish Nehra after gaining an unbeatable 2-nil lead, were all out for 275 in the day-night match in Ahmedabad.

South African paceman Dale Steyn did the maximum damage as he finished with three wickets for 37 runs, including those of well-set Virat Kohli (57) and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (nine) in one over.

The South African bowlers were superbly backed by wicket-keeper Mark Boucher, who finished with five dismissals.