One advantage of the time difference between here and Paris (5 hours behind) is that, once Ronnie the rooster has awoken me, I can tune in and watch live coverage of the French open being played at Roland Garros. I am not a huge tennis fan but I am keen to watch the Grand Slams as they guarantee me an opportunity to watch the best players in the world. You might be wondering why I should bring this subject up so I will now explain.

South Africa have improved their unassailable lead to 4 with one to play as they have beaten West Indies by 7 wickets in Windsor Park, Roseau, Dominica.

West Indies played a very well paced and balanced innings with runs from Dale Richards (59), Shiv Chanderpaul (66) and the Bravo bothers (46 and 45), set up a big total of 303 for 6 in their 50 overs. Their demanding total was quickly taken away from them with a superlative innings from Hashim Amla (129) and was given good support by Jacques Kallis (51) and AB de Villiers (57)

South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first.

Amla and Smith were quick off the mark

Amla and Smith opened up the batting for South Africa, and were quick off the mark punishing Taylor and Rampaul in the first 5 overs of the 3rd ODI. Both batsmen looked on form, picking boundaries and chasing singles. Amla had played his part and was dismissed for 34 in the 10th over when he chopped a deceiving delivery from Benn onto his stumps. Smith’s wicket followed in the 17th by LBW

AB the Anchor

Hashim Amla may have walked away with his second man-of-the-match award in as many matches but Darren Sammy's eleventh hour heroics stole the show in Antigua last night.

Once more Chris Gayle won the toss and once more he chose to bowl first. Hashim Amla and AB De Villiers were in prolific form as they both raced to centuries in the first One Day International between South Africa and West Indies in Antigua.

Taking nothing away from Ashwell Prince and his accolades, I feel South Africa needs stability in hierachy and not having seperate personnel second in command to Smith in both forms of the game.

Pro20 apart, Hashim Amla has proved that he is a consistent performer and the ideal candidate for the role of vice captain of South Africa. He has earned the respect and love of a nation by not just his cricketing attributes, but by his character as well.