SOUTH Africa eked out a one wicket victory over West Indies in the final One Day International at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad to complete a five-nil clean sweep over the hapless Caribbean outfit.

West Indies had batted first and posted a respectable 252 for six in their 50 overs thanks to wonderful late hitting by Narsingh Deonarine, who made an unbeaten run-a-ball 53. Hard hitting batsmen Kieron Pollard and Darren Sammy also chipped in with cameos near the end to ensure West Indies bowlers had a reasonable total to defend.

Spinner Roelof van der Merwe was South Africa’s best bowler with one wicket for 27 from his 10 overs.

Barring inspired spells from pacer Jerome Taylor and captain Chris Gayle, West Indies were guilty of inconsistency late in the innings. Dwayne Bravo was the most culpable, conceding 23 runs off his last two overs to finish with two for 73 off 10.

Jacques Kallis stroked 57 from 53 balls, while Jean-Paul Duminy scored 51 before he was outfoxed by Taylor late on to give West Indies a sniff of a consolation win. Despite losing further wickets, the South Africans scampered to victory with two balls remaining.