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Pollock sends England reeling

Shaun Pollock wrecked England's top order batting as South Africa won a low-scoring Standard Bank International triangular series limited overs final at the Wanderers stadium on Sunday.

Fast bowler Pollock took the first five English wickets for 20 runs as South Africa successfully defended a total of 149 in bowler-friendly conditions. England were bowled out for 111.

It was a remarkable victory for South Africa, who recovered from 21 for five after being sent in to bat in a match reduced to 45 overs a side by rain. Skipper Hansie Cronje made 56 to lead the South African fightback after devastating bowling by England new ball bowlers Andrew Caddick and Darren Gough.

Caddick finished with four for 19 and Gough three for 18 but England's back-up bowlers failed to maintain the pressure. Cronje and wicketkeeper Mark Boucher (36) put on 74 for the sixth wicket.

It was crucial for South Africa to strike hard with the new ball and Cronje took a calculated gamble by letting Pollock bowl his full quota of nine overs, setting attacking fields with up to three slips. All Pollock's wickets fell to catches between wicketkeeper and third slip, with Boucher going on to equal the South African one-day international record by holding five catches.

Extras was the biggest contributor to the England total with 24, including 21 wides as the South African bowlers made the ball swing alarmingly in the damp conditions.

The match was reduced to 45 overs a side after the start had been delayed by two hours by rain. The final had been rescheduled from Saturday following floods in the area during the previous week.

South Africa's first five wickets fell in the space of 21 balls after Herschelle Gibbs and Neil McKenzie put on 14 for the first wicket.

Cronje, who came in with Gough on a hat-trick, made his 56 off 113 balls with four fours and a six off Mark Ealham.