The West Indies made 147 for eight in an innings reduced to 40 overs after two interruptions for rain.

South Africa, with an adjusted target of 169 in 40 overs, were 15 for one when rain drove the players off the field for the third and final time.

South Africa hold an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the five-match series, with two games still to be played.

Powell's 50 was easily the highest score in a West Indian innings which started slowly before becoming a frenetic mix of runs and wickets after the second rain break caused the number of overs to be reduced.

Having scored 98 for three in 30.5 overs earlier, the West Indies resumed with only 9.1 overs remaining. They added 49 runs but lost five wickets as they took risks in order to score as many runs as possible.

West Indian captain Brian Lara won the toss for the first time in the series and decided to bat in conditions which were tricky for batting.

There had been rain in the build-up to the match Thursday and the weather was overcast and humid, with the floodlights switched on at the start of play.

The West Indies suffered an early setback when Chris Gayle was caught at point by Herschelle Gibbs off Andre Nel for one, with only three runs on the board, in the fourth over.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul played cautiously as he and Powell put on 49 for the second wicket before Chanderpaul top-edged a hook against Lance Klusener and was caught by Jacques Rudolph at deep backward square leg for 17 off 55 balls.

The hard-hitting Powell, known for explosive innings lower down the order, showed responsibility after being promoted to number three but still hit some powerful strokes as he went to a half-century off 69 balls with six fours.

But two balls later, he flicked Makhaya Ntini off his toes and Boeta Dippenaar caught him at deep mid-wicket for 50.

Lara surprisingly only batted at number five. He survived a straightforward stumping chance to Mark Boucher off Robin Peterson when he had four but made only 15 before he skied the first ball bowled by Jacques Kallis to present Boucher with a catch soon after the second rain break.

Ramnaresh Sarwan was out three balls earlier for 29 when he was caught at deep cover off Shaun Pollock.

South Africa lost captain Graeme Smith to a mistimed pull against Mervyn Dillon, who bowled superbly, making the ball seam and lift off the damp pitch.

Only five overs were possible before rain started falling again. The fourth match is a day game at Centurion on Sunday.