East London - Despite South Africa coasting to a nine wicket win over the West Indies at Buffalo Park, in East London, on Wednesday, Proteas bowler Vernon Philander says any type of victory is good for the team.
“It's always good winning series, especially at home. It's big to win this series and feed off this confidence going into the World Cup,” said Philander.
Set a paltry victory target of 123 by the West Indies, Hashim Amla (61) and Faf du Plessis (51) knocked off the runs in systematic fashion in 24.4 overs to clinch the series 3-0 with two games still remaining.
The duo ended with an unbroken second wicket stand of 97.
Rilee Rossouw (7) was the only South African wicket to fall with 27 runs on the board for the Proteas, off the bowling of West Indies captain Jason Holder.
The West Indies had not provided anything close to a stern test, but the comprehensive nature of the South African victories in the series would help their preparations for the World Cup starting next month in New Zealand and Australia.
“If you're winning games, come World Cup time we will be ready for that pressure. They gave us a couple soft wickets today. When you give a team like us opportunity to strike, we'll take it,” said Philander.
Holder, meanwhile, said the remaining games in the series would be used to build some momentum going into the World Cup.
“It's just about us salvaging some pride in the last two games and building some confidence going into the World Cup. At the moment we just seem to making the same errors over and over, so it's just about correcting those errors,” said Holder.
The West Indies were bundled out for 122 after winning the toss and choosing to bat first.
Imran Tahir took four wickets for 28 runs as the visitors made their second lowest total against South Africa in the format.
Philander was the next best bowler with 3/27 from his eight overs.
Coming into the game 2-0 down in the five-match affair, the West Indies looked all at sea in their attempt to avoid a series loss.
Their highest partnership was 31 for the sixth wicket, as the tourists were outclassed by the Proteas attack.
Philander picked up the wicket of opener Dwayne Smith (5) with his first ball of the day. The ball moved away off the surface and AB de Villiers took a low catch behind the stumps.
The big-hitting Chris Gayle (1) soon followed, playing a flashy drive off Philander and edging behind. The West Indies were in a heap of trouble at 6/2 inside the first four overs.
Dale Steyn came into the attack and picked up the scalp of Narsingh Deonarine for 10.
Attempting a cut over the infield, the left-hander edged straight to Amla at slip. He knocked the ball up in the air and De Villiers scampered to take the catch, giving Steyn his 150th ODI wicket.
Denesh Ramdin (2) was Steyn's second victim, playing on, while Marlon Samuels worked his way to 26 from 38 balls, watching wickets tumble around him.
He then attempted an ambitious shot down the ground off Tahir, but only succeeded in holing out to Rossouw at long off.
It left the tourists deep in the mire as they lost their fifth just after reaching the 50 mark.
Morne Morkel accounted for Andre Russell (16) who misjudged the bounce and had his bails removed, reducing the visitors to 83 for six.
Tahir then came back into the attack to wrap up the tail, amid a poor batting display by the West Indies.
Sapa