South Africa take two-nil lead
Beat Windies by 17 runs in second game:
South Africa withstood a late West Indies fight-back led by Darren
Sammy to prevail by 17 runs in the second One-day International on
Monday and take a 2-0 lead in the five match series.
The South Africans appeared to be coasting to victory, when West
Indies, chasing 301 for victory from their 50 overs, slumped to 236 for
eight in the 45th over. But the Proteas came under attack from Sammy,
whose unbeaten 58 from 24 balls contained two fours and six sixes, as he
dominated a ninth-wicket stand of 47 with Ravi Rampaul.
South Africa were fortunate however, when fast-medium bowler Ryan
McLaren skillfully fielded a drive from Sammy on his follow-through, and
Rampaul was run out off the last ball of the 48th over backing up too
far.
Graeme Smith, the South African captain, had the privilege of
finishing the match, when Kieron Pollard, running for Nikita Miller, was
run out off the first ball of the next over, with a direct hit by Smith
at the bowler’s end from short cover. “We weren’t at our best, and we
let a few key chances go earlier, which probably could have gone on to
cost us the game,” said a relieved Smith.
“Outside of our fielding, I think we controlled the game very, very
well, and up to Sammy’s 58, we were in control, but our fielding, our
catching in particular, we need to take another look.”
The third and fourth ODIs will be contested this coming Friday and
Sunday at Windsor Park in the Dominica capital of Roseau.
South Africa conceded three half-centuries to West Indies, with
Dwayne Bravo hitting the top score of 74 from 70 balls, and the
newly-arrived opener Dale Richards 51 from 85 balls.
NORTH SOUND, Antigua and Barbuda, Tuesday AFP
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