Hashim Amla, Imran Tahir combine for big South Africa win over West Indies

Win by 139 runs

Imran Tahir took 7 wickets against West Indies. (AFP)

 

 

BASSETERRE (St. Kitts): Hashim Amla struck 110 off 99 balls and legspinner Imran Tahir claimed a record haul of 7-45 on Wednesday as South Africa defeated the West Indies by 139 runs in the limited-overs tri-series.

The Proteas' total of 343-4 off 50 overs was built around an opening stand of 182 between Amla and Quinton de Kock, who scored 71 off 103 balls. Faf du Plessis contributed an unbeaten 73 off 50 deliveries.

The West Indies' chase was undermined by man-of-the-match Tahir's performance as the home team was bowled out for 204 in 38 overs.

The 37-year-old Tahir became the first South African to claim seven wickets in a one-day international, and his figures were the ninth-best of all time.

Left-arm wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi took 2-41 for the South Africans. Johnson Charles' 49 off 41 balls was the top-score for the West Indies.

Earlier, Amla's 23rd ODI century, and fifth against the West Indies, included 13 fours and provided the anchor for South Africa's total. Sent in, Amla and de Kock added 52 in the first 10 overs and continued to plunder the varied West Indies attack on a true batting surface.

The 33-year-old Amla became the fourth South African to pass 1,000 runs against the West Indies when on 63.

West Indies got a boost when both openers fell within three runs — Amla hitting Pollard to long-off, while de Kock was yorked by Jerome Taylor at 185-2 in the 35th over.

But du Plessis shared successive half-century stands with Chris Morris (40) and A.B. de Villiers (27) to ensure a grandstand finish.

The West Indies' reply got off to a rousing start from Charles and Andre Fletcher, who scored 69 in nine overs.

But after Farhaan Behariden pouched a fine catch at deep midwicket to dismiss Fletcher off Tahir, the innings lost momentum.

Shamsi got Charles and Denesh Ramdin, and Darren Bravo was bowled by left-arm seamer Wayne Parnell as the hosts slipped to 121-4.

Marlon Samuels was caught behind, providing Tahir with his 100th ODI wicket. The veteran Tahir, in his 58th match, is the fastest South African to the landmark.

The West Indies lower order folded meekly, losing the last five wickets — all to Tahir — for 35 runs.

South Africa leads the three-team standings with 10 points, with Australia second on nine and the West Indies on eight. Each team has two wins and two losses, with South Africa ahead due to bonus points and a superior net run rate.

The seventh match in the series will be played Sunday between Australia and South Africa at Bridgetown, Barbados.

After two more round-robin games next week — between Australia and the West Indies on Tuesday and West Indies and South Africa on June 24, the leading two teams will meet in the tournament final on June 26.

BRIEF SCORE

South Africa: 343 for 4 (Hashim Amla 110, Faf du Plessis 73*, Kieron Pollard 2/64).

 

West Indies: 204 (Johnson Charles 49, Imran Tahir 7/45)

South Africa beat West Indies by 139 runs.