South Africa were being questioned after their defeat to India but have roared back by mailing the West Indies. PHOTO: REUTERS
South Africa captain AB de Villiers hammered the second-fastest century in World Cup history as he led his side to a crushing 257-run victory over the West Indies at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday.
De Villiers finished on an unbeaten 162 off just 66 balls as South Africa raced to the second-highest World Cup total of 408-5, only behind the 413-5 made by India against Bermuda, a non-Test nation in Trinidad in 2007.
The Proteas skipper’s innings was also the fastest 150 in ODIs and de Villiers now has the fastest fifty, hundred and 150 in ODI cricket — all coming against the West Indies.
South Africa’s second win of the tournament puts them back on track for the quarter-finals after their abject 130-run loss to India.
This result also equalled the biggest winning margin in terms of runs in World Cups, also set when India beat Bermuda by 257 runs in 2007.
De Villiers demolished the West Indians with eight sixes and 17 fours and was particularly savage on West Indies captain Jason Holder, smashing four sixes off the fast-bowler’s final over.
De Villiers, who made his century off 52 balls, teed off late on, plundering 64 off Holder’s last two overs as he finished with 1-104 off 10.
There was also solid support from the South African top order with Hashim Amla contributing 65 off 88 balls, Faf du Plessis 62 off 70 and Rilee Rossouw 61 off 39 balls.
Off-spinner Gayle struck in the 30th over with two wickets in three balls, removing Du Plessis caught behind for 62 attempting a shot through extra cover and then trapping Amla leg before for 65.
But de Villiers and Rossouw began to dramatically up the tempo, raising their hundred-stand off 60 balls.
The skipper brought up his 50 off 30 balls and Rossouw’s half-century came off 31 balls.
De Villiers unfurled some remarkable shots in the closing overs, easily clearing the ropes. In the last 10 overs, the Proteas piled on 150 runs. Rossouw was caught behind off Andre Russell, having struck six fours and a six.
Jerome Taylor then claimed the catch of the day to dismiss David Miller for 20 with a splendid one-handed effort on the boundary that prevented what seemed a certain six.
It was a miserable effort in reply by the West Indies as they tumbled to 151 all out.
Gayle, who blasted a World Cup record 215 with 16 sixes in his last innings against Zimbabwe, exposed his stumps, swung his bat and was bowled middle stump by Kyle Abbott for three. Samuels got an outside edge and was caught behind for a duck.
Jonathan Carter (10), Dwayne Smith (31) and Lendl Simmons (nought) all fell in the space of seven balls to leave their side at 53-5.
Leg-spinner Imran Tahir triggered the collapse and finished with 5-45 from 10 overs.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 28th, 2015.
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