BASSETERRE (St Kitts), March 20: South African fast bowler Makhaya Ntini's return to action was cut short when he left the field with cramp with Scotland making their best World Cup score of 186 for eight on Tuesday.

Ntini, who is playing his first match in the World Cup because he delayed his trip to the Caribbean until after the birth of his second child, pulled up while bowling the 40th over, his ninth.

He completed the over but then left the field to receive treatment for what the team spokesman said was cramp.

Ntini, the spearhead of the attack, did not return, leaving South Africa to complete a disciplined but not particularly inspired bowling performance.

The score surpassed Scotland's previous highest tournament score, made in 1999 against Australia, by five runs.

Medium pacer Andrew Hall took three for 48, while Shaun Pollock was the most economical bowler with his return of one for 25 from 10 overs.

The Scotland batsmen struggled to score freely until the latter overs of their innings, when Dougie Brown and John Blain shared a brisk seventh-wicket stand of 50.

Brown top-scored with 45 not out and Blain made 23.

Scotland were without captain Craig Wright, who returned home following a death in his family. Ryan Watson took over the captaincy.