South Africa v West Indies
Wisden's review of the ninth ODI, South Africa v West Indies
15-Apr-2014
At Cardiff, June 14. Tied (D/L). Toss: West Indies.
For once, South Africa were left thanking Duckworth/Lewis rather than cursing it. When West Indies began the 27th over of a game reduced to 31 a side by rain, they were four ahead on the D/L charts, thanks to a savage counter-attack from Samuels and some sensible hitting from Pollard. They needed 41 from 30 balls, and drizzle was in the air. But instead of opting to keep his side's nose in front, Pollard now launched himself at McLaren and top-edged to third man, where Steyn - in his only match of the tournament - judged a swirling, slippery catch to perfection. The moment decided the match. In the two minutes it took for Sammy to arrive in the middle, proper rain began to fall. Still, the umpires took their positions: it seemed another ball would be bowled. Then Sammy ran down the wicket to have a word with skipper Dwayne Bravo - at which point umpire Steve Davis called on the groundstaff. And that was that. The electronic scoreboard said it all, though it took a while for the ramifications to sink in. The D/L par score was 190 - and West Indies were 190 for six, which meant a tie, so ensuring South Africa would finish above their opponents on net run-rate. With India already assured of topping the group, West Indies were out. Ingram's 63-ball 73 was worthy of the match award, while de Villiers and Miller, who hit three sixes, provided the boost towards a total thought to be above par, though nobody said it was safe. It had looked anything but while Gayle was stroking an effortless 36 from 27 balls, but a casual waft to cover gave South Africa a sniff - and they hung on tenaciously, despite often looking outgunned.
Man of the Match: C. A. Ingram. Attendance: 6,470.
For once, South Africa were left thanking Duckworth/Lewis rather than cursing it. When West Indies began the 27th over of a game reduced to 31 a side by rain, they were four ahead on the D/L charts, thanks to a savage counter-attack from Samuels and some sensible hitting from Pollard. They needed 41 from 30 balls, and drizzle was in the air. But instead of opting to keep his side's nose in front, Pollard now launched himself at McLaren and top-edged to third man, where Steyn - in his only match of the tournament - judged a swirling, slippery catch to perfection. The moment decided the match. In the two minutes it took for Sammy to arrive in the middle, proper rain began to fall. Still, the umpires took their positions: it seemed another ball would be bowled. Then Sammy ran down the wicket to have a word with skipper Dwayne Bravo - at which point umpire Steve Davis called on the groundstaff. And that was that. The electronic scoreboard said it all, though it took a while for the ramifications to sink in. The D/L par score was 190 - and West Indies were 190 for six, which meant a tie, so ensuring South Africa would finish above their opponents on net run-rate. With India already assured of topping the group, West Indies were out. Ingram's 63-ball 73 was worthy of the match award, while de Villiers and Miller, who hit three sixes, provided the boost towards a total thought to be above par, though nobody said it was safe. It had looked anything but while Gayle was stroking an effortless 36 from 27 balls, but a casual waft to cover gave South Africa a sniff - and they hung on tenaciously, despite often looking outgunned.
Man of the Match: C. A. Ingram. Attendance: 6,470.