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Singh leads India over S Africa

South Africa's Justin Kemp hits a six on Sunday as Indian wicketkeeper Mahendra Dhoni watches during their one day international match at the Stormont cricket grounds in Belfast. India won by six wickets. PHOTO: AFP

Yuvraj Singh's unbeaten 61 saw India to a six-wicket win over South Africa at Stormont on Sunday to take the three-match one-day international series 2-1.

In a match reduced by rain to 31 overs per side, left-hander Yuvraj finished the game by smashing Andre Nel for four with four balls to spare after India had slumped to 38 for three. His winning hit sparked a pitch invasion by hundreds of jubilant Indian fans.

Man-of-the-match Yuvraj had also seen India home to a six-wicket win on Friday, which levelled the series with 49 not out.

"Yuvraj's been exceptional," India captain Rahul Dravid said. "He's been a fantastic finisher for us. It's not an easy job to do under pressure and he does it really well."

"He's got the power, he's got the skill and he's matching that power and skill with temperament, mental strength and brains," Dravid said.

"That's a deadly combination," he said. "He is up there among the best one-day players in the world without a doubt."

Yuvraj, a member of the India side that lost a one-day series in South Africa 4-0 in November and December last year, said: "It gives you a lot of confidence when you win outside India."

Dravid added these matches had given India a timely boost ahead of today's one-dayer against arch-rivals Pakistan in Glasgow and, more significantly, the three Test and seven one-day internationals in England from July 19 to September 8.

"It's good we've played in tough conditions and done pretty well," he said. "That gives us confidence to take into the next series."

South Africa captain Jacques Kallis, who lost the toss and saw his side sent into bat, was left frustrated after another close finish.

"We got ourselves into a position where we could have won that match," he said. "As much as the toss played a bit of a role, we also gave it way a little bit."

Justin Kemp's run-a-ball 61 was the top score in South Africa's 148 for seven after they collapsed to 28 for four having had the worst of the conditions after being sent in on a seaming pitch.

Kemp -- fit after a thigh injury -- and Herschelle Gibbs (56) revived the innings in a fifth-wicket stand of 99.

But India dropped Kemp on 10 and twice missed Gibbs in the 40s.

Later, Yuvraj completed a 77-ball fifty with one six and four fours before nearly slamming a ball into Dhoni off Andrew Hall that raced to the boundary.

Ajit Agarkar, another flu victim, marked his comeback by removing opener Morne van Wyk and Kallis for nought apiece on his way to two for 21.

Former captain Ganguly followed up with two wickets in two balls.

Agarkar struck with his fifth delivery when van Wyk was leg before wicket.

Then Kallis played inside the line of a superb delivery that cut away late and knocked back his off-stump.

AB de Villiers edged a ball from medium-pacer Ganguly onto his pad and keeper Dhoni, standing up to the stumps, ran round to take a catch. Next ball left-hander Jean-Paul Duminy was given out leg before wicket.

Kemp survived the hat-trick with a single.

Gibbs, after his scares, completed a 59-ball fifty with a straight six off teenage leg-spinner Piyush Chawla before he was bowled by Zaheer Khan.
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