CAPE TOWN, 27 January 2004 — South Africa achieved its biggest ever One-Day International victory Sunday, defeating West Indies by 209 runs at Newlands Stadium, dismissing the tourists for 54 in the first of five One-Day Internationals.

It was the lowest total by West Indies in One-Day Internationals, and its biggest defeat. The previous lowest score was 87 against Australia in 1992-93, and the previous highest margin of defeat was 138 runs against Pakistan in Sharjah in 1999-2000.

“It’s very tough to take,” West Indies captain Brian Lara said. “We looked like a team that wanted to compete for the first 35 overs, but we did not fulfill any of our batting potential.”

“It was an outstanding night in the field,” South African captain Graeme Smith said. “We are taking steps on an upward curve, but we have still got a long way to go if we want to be the best in the world.”

Spearheaded by the bowling of Lance Klusener and good batting by Jacques Kallis, South Africa built on its 3-0 victory in the recent four-match Test series.

Klusener, ending a 10-month absence from the South African team after falling from favor following South Africa’s poor World Cup performance last year, saw the second ball he delivered lifted over backward square leg for six by Ricardo Powell.

With his very next delivery, he had Powell caught behind by Mark Boucher for 12.

He took a wicket in each of his next two overs. He had Dwayne Smith caught by Boucher for one, and Ryan Hurley caught at second slip by Kallis for two.

“All the issues there were between us are behind us now,” said Smith of the man he called “disruptive” after the World Cup. “Everything is good now, and neither of us want to talk about the past anymore.”

Shaun Pollock and Andre Nel supported Klusener. Pollock struck first, dismissing Chris Gayle with a catch by Smith for four.

Nel then bowled Lara leg before wicket as the West Indian captain offered no shot. Nel also claimed the wicket of Ramnaresh Sarwan caught by Jacques Rudolph for 14.

Makhaya Ntini took three for 15, including a diving left-handed catch by Herschelle Gibbs at backward point to dismiss Vasbert Drakes for one.

A good innings by Kallis — unbeaten 109 — helped set South Africa on course for victory.

“The century is right up there with my best,” Kallis said. “It is my first one-day hundred at Newlands, and it’s always good to do it in front of such a good crowd.”

South Africa struggled to 110 for four after 30 overs had been bowled, but Kallis accelerated during the final 10 overs. He smashed five sixes and six fours reaching his 11th one-day century off 89 balls in 130 minutes.

Smith went on to make 53 before he was bowled by off-spinner Ryan Hurley. Boeta Dippenaar skied an attempted pull off Vasbert Drakes to Shivnarine Chanderpaul at mid-on.