Game reduced to 31 overs because of rain:

South Africa make a strong 230 for 6

Elmo Rodrigopulle reporting from England

In a game reduced to 31 overs because of heavy rain, South Africa put into bat made 230 for 6 wickets in their final Group B game against the West Indies, here at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff today.

At the wickets when the 31 overs were completed were Ryan McLaren on 7 and Robin Petersen on no score. It was a formidable score and it would be interesting to watch how the West Indies batsmen who have a flair for big hitting go.

If West Indies are to make this score a lot will depend on mauler Chris Gayle and how he will fire. It was threatening to rain when the South African innings ended.

Lost previous game

West Indies having lost the previous game to India and South Africa having been victorious against Pakistan, a result in this game was important to both teams to make further progress in the tournament.

At the starting time it was still raining and at one time indications were that there would be no play at all. But thankfully the rains ceased and the game was reduced to 31 overs a side.

The curators had the wicket and its surrounding areas well covered. But play started in cloudy and cold conditions with Dwayne Bravo winning the toss and preferring to field.

Power play blocks

Power play blocks were six and three overs, one bowler sending down 7 and the rest 6. The good news for South Africa was the return of hit man Dale Steyn after missing out on the first two games. For the West Indies Kemar Roach was ill and was left out which certainly weakened their attack. Ramnaresh Sarwan who failed in the two games he played was dropped and in came Devon Smith. The wicket played well and the South African openers Colin Ingram and Hashim Amla were not unduly worried and hoisted their 50 run stand in 50 balls and were threatening.

More aggressive

Left hander Colin Ingram was the more aggressive of the two and playing some daring strokes moved quickly to a half century in 46 balls which was great going considering that this was an overs reduced game.

Right hander Hashim Amla was first out after playing second fiddle to Ingram for 23 after a stand of 80 with Ingram. Then Ingram followed for 73 with 6 fours and 2 sixes in 63 balls. The South Africans were going well on 124 for 2,when disaster struck again. Jean Duminy from whom quick runs were expected fell for 2. Skipper Abraham de Villiers and Faf Du Plessis got together to try and restore the innings.

To up the scoring

De Villiers who was always on the lookout to up the scoring rate bashed 37 before being nicely taken by Darren Bravo off Ravi Rampaul attempting a pull shot. He went at 153. He hit 2 fours and one six. Du Plessis and David Miller made merry in the closing overs to smash a stand of 50 in 40 balls that helped swell the total. Both are aggressive batsmen and never spared the loose balls when it came along.

In the final over Du Plessis was run out for 35 off 32 balls with 3 fours and a six and David Miller was out for 38 in 29 balls with one four and 3 sixes. Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, Friday

Flash

West Indies were 75 for 2 wickets after 12 overs at the time of going to press with Devon Smith 20 not out and Marlon Samuels on 0. Chris Gayle was out for a hard hit 36.