Promoted McKenzie takes his chance

Neil McKenzie responded to his promotion up the order to number three by scoring a career best 131 not out as South Africa thrashed Kenya by a record 208 runs in their triangular series one-day international on Monday.

"(Captain) Shaun (Pollock) came through to the dressing room and told me before the start that I was batting at three," McKenzie, who normally bats at number four, said.

"We've been batting really well, so I haven't had too many opportunities recently. It was a great deck to bat on so I'm chuffed to have made the best of it," he said.

Gary Kirsten contributed 124, his 12th one-day international century, to South Africa's 354 for three, their second highest total ever. Kenya then collapsed to 146 all out in 45.3 overs for South Africa to claim their biggest winning margin.

"I did take a while to settle, but Gary had begun to strike it well at the other end and I just fed Boucher the strike at the end, so I was never under pressure," McKenzie said.

Mark Boucher blazed the fourth fastest half century in one-day international history off 19 balls with two fours and four sixes.

He scored 51 not out, and went to his half century slower only than Sri Lanka's Sanath Jayasuriya, Australian Simon O'Donnell and Shahid Afridi of Pakistan.

Boucher also took four catches in the Kenyan innings to become the ninth wicketkeeper to effect 150 dismissals.

Pollock said he was happy with his team's all round dominance in the match.

"It really was a good all round performance," Pollock said.

"The guys laid an excellent launching pad, the middle order launched with some lusty blows towards the end and then we backed it up with a very good bowling performance. So I've got no complaints."

The last match of the round robin stage of the competition is between India and Kenya in Paarl on Wednesday, with the final scheduled for Durban on Friday.

Mail Cricket Editor