Johnson's captain's innings helps West Indies past South Africa

South Africa 213-8 (50 overs, P.Daneel 90); West Indies 218-3 (43.1 overs, L.Johnson 83, J.Mohammed 76 not out). West Indies won by seven wickets.

West Indies opening bowler Kemar Roach in action © ICC

A captain's innings by Leon Johnson propelled the West Indies in a Super League quarter-final show-down with India.

Johnson made 83 and together with Jason Mohammed (76 not out) they added 148 for the third wicket to spearhead their side's comfortable seven-wicket win against South Africa.

It was a winner-takes-all match and the West Indies took the honours while the Proteas missed out on that Super League berth and had to be content with a place in the Plate Championship, where they will play Scotland next Tuesday.

The West Indies were chasing South Africa's 213-8 and they lost two early wickets which must have sent shudders through the dressing room after they failed in their previous run-chase, against Australia on Wednesday.

But the answer of Johnson, together with Mohammed, was to dig in against the new ball attack of Craig Alexander (1-51) and Wayne Parnell (2-31) before opening out later on.

Johnson's innings spanned 131 minutes, during which time he faced 100 balls and hit 11 fours and a six and when he was dismissed, with 49 still needed, Mohammed made sure there were no late alarms.

He faced 126 balls and, like his captain, hit 11 fours and he had the pleasure of a close-up view as Gajanand Singh finished the match with a flourish, scoring an unbeaten 34 from just 25 balls, including four fours and two sixes.

South Africa must have always suspected they did not have enough runs as, despite a battling 90 from opener Pieter Daneel they failed to capitalize on a good start after the match was delayed by overnight rain.

Daneel and Jean Symes (25) added 64 for the first wicket and South Africa were 108-1 at one stage before the West Indies bowlers began to assert themselves and it was spin that was the key.

Sunil Narine took 2-29, Rishi Bachan, the one survivor of the West Indies side that reached the final two years ago, took 1-27 and Sharmarh Brooks captured 2-43.

Daneel struck six fours during a 125-ball stay at the crease but the latter stages of his innings were handicapped by cramp and he required extensive treatment before he was able to carry on with assistance from a runner.

Perhaps it was no surprise to see a player cramping because the humidity at the P.Saravanamuttu Stadium was high following heavy overnight rain which soaked the ground and led to a 30 minute delay at the start.

Apart from Symes and Daneel, the only other South Africa player to pass 20 was Richard Das Neves, who made a defiant 32 from 39 balls before opening bowler Javon Searles (2-56) returned late on to dismiss him.

Johnson said afterwards: "I thought we bowled well to keep them to 213 on a good batting pitch and then we just applied ourselves (with the bat).

"Our spinners bowled well as they stuck to the task and bowled well to their fields.

"After we lost early wickets I knew my contribution was vital and I knew I just had to help see us through."

And Johnson was confident ahead of Saturday's Super League quarter-final despite the prospect of playing the tournament favourites.

"They have a pretty good side," he said of India. "But we are also a force to be reckoned with.

"We have to treat every game as a final now but that is okay because pressure brings out the best in us."

The West Indies were without opener Richard Ramdeen, who was still not 100 percent fit after taking a blow on his right wrist while fielding against Australia on Wednesday.