North Sound, Antigua: South Africa were able to dodge a Darren Sammy bullet and escape with a 17-run win to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match Digicel One Day International Series at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground yesterday.
Sammy blasted the fastest West Indian ODI fifty from just 20 deliveries and ended on 58 from 24 balls as he launched six mighty sixes and two fours in a whirlwind innings which almost singlehandedly secured victory for the West Indies.
The home side eventually fell for 283 in pursuit of South Africa’s 300 for 7 in 50 overs to lose by 17 runs.
Dwayne Bravo and Dale Richards’ half century had kept the West Indian innings afloat before Sammy’s sustained burst at the end made South African nerves flutter. It was the run outs of Ravi Rampaul and Nikita Miller off consecutive deliveries at the end of the 48th over and the first delivery of the 49th that ended the West Indian effort and left Sammy heartbroken.
Bravo’s 74 was compiled off 70 deliveries with three fours and two sixes while Richards faced 85 balls for his 51 which was studded with six boundaries. Morne Morkel topped the South African bowling with 3 for 58 from 9.1 overs.
There was a wicket apiece for Lonswabo Tsotsobe, Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn and Johan Botha (the last two of whom suffered being hit for consecutive sixes by Sammy).
Proteas opener Hashim Amla followed his century in the First Digicel ODI with another Man of the Match performance. This time he fell eight runs short as he was caught at mid wicket off a tame flick to Jerome Taylor.
Jacques Kallis – with whom Amla added 79 for the second wicket – made 85 in his 300th ODI appearance. The seasoned right hander faced 89 deliveries and struck four fours.
Prior to Kallis’ impressive stint, Amla and captain Graeme Smith (37) put on 89 runs for the opening partnership and AB de Villiers later smashed 41 from 37 balls with three fours and a six.
Medium pacer, Kieron Pollard, was most economical, his eight overs costing 39 runs and he also managed to pick up the wickets of Kallis and de Villers. Taylor accounted for Amla and Alviro Petersen (1) to end with 2 for 50.
The West Indies were once again hampered by the injury-enforced absence of Shivnarine Chanderpaul who has a hand injury and fast bowler, Kemar Roach, who is carrying a sore ankle.
The Digicel Series now moves to Dominica for another double header. Another win will seal the series for the Africans while the home side will be desperate to keep it alive with a win of their own after losing four consecutive matches against the Proteas.
