Shaun Pollock's miserly spell - 34 runs off 10 overs - made the vital difference in the thriller, with both teams putting on an otherwise similar effort in the field. Pollock's disciplined bowling helped restrict West Indies on a good batting pitch. Besides taking the crucial wicket of Carl Hooper, Pollock choked the batsmen by not giving them many to drive off the front foot. He sent 73% of his deliveries onto a good length or just short of it. Pollock's effort reflected South Africa's consistency, unlike their West Indian counterparts who gave away 63 off the last nine overs, which effectively undid their earlier good work. South Africa enjoyed a marginal edge in dot-balls bowled, with 59% to West Indies' 57%.

The West Indian bowlers struck a good length more often (73%) than Pollock's six-man attack (63%). West Indies even gave away fewer boundaries (20 fours and two sixes) than South Africa, who were hit for 25 fours and three sixes. But ultimately, look at the figures of the two leading strike bowlers. Merv Dillon's 10 overs cost 60 runs, with 16 plundered off that crucial last over. In a match with a last-ball finish, Pollock's economy rate made a big difference.

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