South Africa eased to a 66-run victory over West Indies thanks to centuries by Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers and some aggressive bowling in the first One-day International on Saturday.
West Indies' batsmen wilted to 215 all out from 44.1 overs as they chased the tourists' total of 280-7 from 48 overs which was powered by Amla and de Villiers who both scored 102.
Amla registered his second career ODI century while de Villiers struck his third ODI ton on the trot as they put on 129 for the third wicket to lay the foundation for a big total.
Amla struck eight fours at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Grounds from 109 deliveries, while de Villiers hit five fours and two sixes off 101 balls.
All-rounder Dwayne Bravo bowled with control to finish with figures of three for 40 from 10 overs.
In the run chase Chris Gayle top scored for the hosts with 45 from 39 balls including eight powerful fours while Kieron Pollard blasted 44 from 37 deliveries with five fours and a six.
Their efforts were not nearly adequate enough to threaten South Africa's total as lanky pacer Morne Morkel captured three for 40 from eight overs. He was ably supported by Dale Steyn and Ryan McLaren and Johan Botha.
The second game in the five-match series will take place on Monday at the same venue before the teams move to Dominica for a double header and Jamaica for the final game.
Scorecard:
South Africa:
Hashim Amla b Rampaul 102
Graeme Smith c Ramdin b Bravo 18
Jacques Kallis c Rampaul b Bravo 1
AB de Villiers c Sarwan b Taylor 102
JP Duminy b Rampaul 15
David Miller not out 23
Johan Botha b Bravo 3
Ryan McLaren c Gayle b Taylor 1
Dale Steyn not out 2
Extras: (lb-2, w-10, nb-1) 13
Total: (for 7 wickets, 48 overs) 280
Fall of wickets: 1-53, 2-57, 3-186, 4-240, 5-259, 6-265, 7-268
Bowling: Jerome Taylor 10-0-62-2, Ravi Rampaul 10-1-46-2, Darren Sammy 2-0-25-0, Dwayne Bravo 10-0-40-3,
Nikita Miller 7-0-46-0, Chris Gayle 5-0-27-0, Kieron Pollard 3-0-19-0, Narsingh Deonarine 1-0-13-0.
West Indies:
Andre Fletcher c Kallis b Steyn 3
Chris Gayle c Botha b Morkel 45
Dwayne Bravo c de Villiers b McLaren 15
Ramnaresh Sarwan b Morkel 38
Narsingh Deonarine c Kallis b Botha 26
Denesh Ramdin b Steyn 17
Kieron Pollard c McLaren b Morkel 44
Darren Sammy c Kallis b McLaren 2
Nikita Miller not out 13
Jerome Taylor lbw b Botha 0
Ravi Rampaul c Smith b Tsotsobe 3
Extras: (lb-2, w-6, nb-1) 9
Total: (all out, 44.1 overs) 215
Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-44, 3-69, 4-130, 5-140, 6-192, 7-197, 8-203, 9-205
Bowling: Dale Steyn 8-0-37-2, Lonwabo Tsotsobe 6.1-0-34-1, Ryan McLaren 9-1-37-2,
Morne Morkel 8-1-40-3, Johan Botha 10-0-47-2, Jacques Kallis 3-0-18-0Source:
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