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West Indies draw first blood in Tri-Nation opener

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Sport24
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THE Standard Bank Proteas made an underwhelming start to the Tri-Nation One-Day International (ODI) series when they suffered a four-wicket defeat against the West Indies at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence on Friday. Sunil Narine was the key to South Africa’s woes after his career-best figures of 6/27 on a turning wicket restricted them to just 188 all out in 46.5 overs – the lowest total for the tourists in their past 15 ODIs. Narine’s were the best figures by a West Indian spinner in ODIs. The big-hitting Kieron Pollard then struck an unbeaten 67 (67 balls, 2 fours and 6 sixes) in what was the first ever day/night match to be played at the venue to take the hosts over the line with 11 deliveries to spare. It was only South Africa’s second loss in their past 20 ODIs against the Caribbean nation having previously won 17 of those meetings dating back to the 2007 ICC World Cup. The other two results had been a tie and defeat. There were a few positives for the Proteas, who were playing their first 50-over fixture since February, after AB de Villiers won the toss and opted to bat first. Rilee Rossouw, in at number three, top-scored with 61 (83 balls, 2 fours) in an innings that saw the top five all get starts, but none of Hashim Amla (20), Quinton de Kock (30), De Villiers (31) or JP Duminy (23) managed to kick on as Narine produced a magical spell of bowling his 9.5 overs of spin. Amongst the quintet, there were just nine boundaries struck. Pollard hit eight himself. All the West Indies’ wickets fell to the South African spinners. Aaron Phangiso proved the pick amongst them with a career-best 3/40 in 10 overs, Imran Tahir collected 2/41 in his allotted overs and Duminy picked up 1/8. The home side had been 76/4 at one stage, but Pollard’s fifth-wicket partnership of 74 with Darren Bravo (30) was critical in getting them over the line. South Africa’s next assignment in the series is against Australia on Tuesday (June 7).
Category
Cricket
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