De Villiers, Tahir lead SA to opening win

Jan 16, 2015

South Africa chose to bat first in the opening ODI but struggled early on. First Rilee Rossouw was cleaned up by Jerome Taylor•Associated Press

But through Hashim Amla South Africa settled and Amla became the fastest batsman to 5000 ODI runs •Gallo Images

And at the other end AB de Villiers was solid once again, controlling the innings with 81. But a late slip saw South Africa make only 279 for 8 when they were well set for a bigger total•Gallo Images

Imran Tahir celebrates one of his three wickets, as West Indies' middle order again stumbled•Gallo Images

And then Taylor picked up a second cheap wicket, trapping Faf du Plessis for a duck•Gallo Images

But Amla was run out by a brilliant piece of fielding by Andre Russell and it left the hosts looking elsewhere to kick on•Gallo Images

Rain took some time out of the game and West Indies were asked to chase 229 in 33 overs. Chris Gayle provided some fireworks at the start of the second innings•Gallo Images

De Villiers picked up a stumping and four catches, winning him the Man of the Match award after his 81, as South Africa wrapped up a 61-run win to take a 1-0 lead in the series•Gallo Images

David Miller provided a much-needed middle order innings and made 70 after being given a chance at No. 5•Gallo Images

But Gayle played one-too-many big strokes and Dale Steyn had him caught behind for 41•Gallo Images