Lara fails to save the West Indies

South Africa became only the second side since 1973 to win a series in the West Indies after completing an 82-run victory at the Antigua Recreation Ground in the Fourth Test.

A late onslaught from Brian Lara, who scored 91, could only delay the inevitable as skipper Shaun Pollock took three wickets to rip through the West Indies tail to give the tourists a 2-0 winning lead in the five-Test series.

Lara, who began the day on five not out, had played cautiously with Ramnaresh Sarwan through the morning session.

But, at 155 for seven and with the game all but lost, Lara abandoned his defensive strategy.

He was particularly severe on Nicky Boje, whose slow left-arm spin was despatched for four enormous sixes before Jacques Kallis had him caught trying to hit over cover.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka beat New Zealand by 106 runs after the Kiwis lost their last eight wickets for 53 runs in the Sharjah Trophy.