DURBAN, Jan 31: Ricardo Powell's half-century proved in vain as rain washed out the third One-day International between South Africa and West Indies on Friday (partly reported in Saturday's edition).

Powell top scored with 50 in West Indies' total of 147 for eight, an innings shortened to 40 overs by rain. He faced 71 balls and hit six fours for his seventh One-day International half-century.

South Africa, who were set a victory target of 169 runs from 40 overs using the Duckworth-Lewis method, were 15 for one after five overs when the rain returned for good.

Runs trickled rather than flowed for West Indies, a result of their own defensive approach, tight bowling by the South Africans and an outfield made heavy by two days of rain.

After Chris Gayle had gone for a single from 16 balls, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Powell added 49 for the second wicket, a stand that was ended in the 20th over when Chanderpaul, on 17, top-edged an attempted pull off medium pacer Lance Klusener to Jacques Rudolph on the fine leg boundary.

The only wicket to fall in the South African innings went down in the third over when Graeme Smith sent a looping catch to Lara at mid-on off a delivery from Dillon.

South Africa won the first two games in the five-match series with the last two scheduled for Sunday and Wednesday in Centurion and Johannesburg respectively.

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