WHILE all the fuss revolved around whether England and Hong Kong would qualify for the main competition, South Africa strode into the second phase with the air of potential champions.
Hansie Cronje's side pipped the West Indies for top place in the Blue Group, but the ominous sign that emerged from both teams' analyses was that they have yet to lose a wicket.
South Africa defeated the West Indies by six wickets after handing out a similar defeat to tournament minnows Holland.
The second-seeded South Africans had only three batsmen in action yesterday for a total of 145 runs off the bat in two matches. Jonty Rhodes, whose fielding expertise has been restricted to wicketkeeping because 'I can't bowl', hit 34 against the West Indies and 31 against Holland.
Fellow opener Richard Snell hit 32 and 32, while Adrian Kuiper contributed 16 against the West Indies.
'It's been an enjoyable first day,' said Rhodes. 'We've got a few good all-rounders in our team and it has been a good day for us.
'It's the second time I've played in this tournament and it's good to play in a different format. It generally tends to be series after series and this offers a good change.' Rhodes faced 10 balls against the West Indies hitting three boundaries and three sixes, including the winning runs, as South Africa overhauled their opponents' total of 83 in five overs.
