POTCHEFSTROOM, South Africa (CMC) – West Indies Captain Shai Hope was quick to admit that his team was “clearly outplayed” by South Africa in the bid for their first one-day international (ODI) series win over South Africa in three decades.

However, West Indies fell flat here Tuesday when they slumped to a four-wicket defeat in the final rumble of the three-match series at Senwes Park.

“I thought we batted well in parts, but definitely didn’t execute with the ball,” said Hope.

“We just didn’t hit our straps. We have ourselves to blame. In a situation like this, we can’t expect to concede [264] in 29 overs so we have ourselves to blame here. I still thought we were in the game [after posting 260], but again, we didn’t bowl as well as we needed to,” he lamented.

Defending 260 in the series finale after Brandon King top-scored with a run-a-ball 72, West Indies lost their discipline with the ball, allowing the Proteas to speed to their target in the 30th over with Man-of-the-Match Heinrich Klaasen carving out a brilliant, unbeaten 119 off 61 deliveries.

The visitors were in with a shout when the outstanding Alzarri Joseph struck twice early to reduce the run chase to 36 for two in the fourth over, and again when the innings slipped to 87 for four in the 13th over.

But Klaasen proved the difference, blasting 15 fours and five sixes and combining with David Miller (17) in a 55-run, fifth wicket stand and then with Marco Jansen (43) in a 103-run, sixth wicket partnership, to erase any chance of a West Indies win.