West Indies and South Africa faced off in their first Group B match of the 2011 World Cup in which the South Africans won in fascinating style by seven wickets.
Leg spinner Imran Tahir destroyed the West Indies. He picked up 4 wickets for 41 runs from 10 overs. He troubled all the West Indies batsmen and had them in conjecture.
They never knew if they should go forward or back when batting and they were all tentative about attacking his bowling. The leg spinner’s length was tidy and he exploited all the weaknesses of the West Indies batsmen.
He was supported by other spinners including Johan Botha, who picked up 2 for 48 from 9 overs. Robin Peterson who bowled tidily as well and kept the batsmen quiet.
Fast bowler Dale Steyn returned late in the West Indies innings to pick up 3 for 24 off 7.3 overs.
Two of those batsmen were West Indies Captain Darren Sammy who went without scoring and hard-hitting batsman Kieron Pollard who also went without scoring.
Windies Bowled Out For 222 Runs In 47.3 Overs
South African Captain Graeme Smith won the toss and sent in the West Indies for first strike. Right-handed off-spinner Johan Botha opened the bowling for South Africa and with the third ball of the innings he removed Chris Gayle for two. This was the breakthrough South Africa needed to set back the West Indies.
Young Darren Bravo joined Devon Smith and these two players consolidated well in a partnership of 111 runs for the second wicket, Bravo was eventually trapped leg before for 73 off 82 balls with 8 fours and 1 six.
Devon Smith went for 36 off 57 balls, Shivnarine Chanderpaul 31 from 51 balls and Dwayne Bravo 40 from 37 balls.
South Africa Reached 223 For 3 In 42.5 Overs
When South Africa began their runs chase, they lost two early wickets in Hamish Amla and Jacques Kallis but Captain Graeme Smith stood up with Ab De Villiers for a partnership of 119 before Smith was bowled by Kieron Pollard for 45 from 78 balls.
Sealed Victory
Ab De Villiers scored 107 not out from 105 balls and Jean Paul Duminy 42 not out from 53 balls to seal a seven-wicket victory for South Africa.
For the West Indies bowling Sulieman Benn picked up 1 for 51 from 10 overs, Kemar Roach 1 for 42 from 8 overs and Kieron Pollard 1 for 37 from 7.5 overs.
Spinners Control West Indies Batsmen
West Indies batsmen failed to combat the South African spinning attack. What was very disappointing was that all the senior West Indies batsmen failed to show any control in defending against the spin attack.
Young Darren Bravo showed excellent skills in his innings of 73. He showed courage, discipline and he used good footwork against the spin attack.
