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De Villiers century gives SA easy win

 Thu, 24 February 2011
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21:49
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AB de Villiers slammed the fastest century by a South African in World Cups to guide his team to a convincing seven-wicket victory over West Indies with 43 balls to spare.

De Villiers came out attacking right from the start as he stroked 107 not out from 105 balls, hitting eight fours and two sixes. At the other end, JP Duminy finished unbeaten on 42 from 53 balls, with the duo involved in an unbroken stand of 84 runs in 86 balls.

In the end, the gulf of class between the two sides stood out.

Debutant Imran Tahir was brilliant with the ball as he took four for 41 to turn the match on it's head.

West Indies lacked the bite in their bowling and except for Suleiman Benn, no one threatened with the ball.


21:40
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There will no be sprint to the finishing line by South Africa. They want to ensure that they don't lose any further wickets.

19 runs have come from the last four overs and just five needed from the last eight overs.

Come on South Africa! win it in style....crowd calling for a six!
21:39
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South Africa are in no hurry here.

De Villiers completes his century in the first over after the resumption with a drive through the covers off Benn. He completed his ton off just 97 balls to register the fastest century by a South African in World Cups.
21:22
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It was just a passing shower that briefly held play for five minutes.

The covers are off now and play is likely to resume soon.

South Africa will be hoping to complete the final rites and score the remaining 24 runs for victory.


21:20
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South Africa were looking good for a comfortable victory before rain intervenes. There was some forecast for rain through the day and it has finally graced the big stage.

It is not raining that heavily but the players retreat back to the dressing room and the covers are brought out to cover the pitch and 30-yard circle.

The result is a foregone conclusion with SA on 199 for three in 38 overs, needing just 24 runs from 12 overs.

AB de Villiers will be hoping play resumes for he is just three runs away from a deserved century as he scored 97 from 94 balls, while Duminy is on 28.

Nearly seven overs have passed without a boundary, yet South Africa continue to score at a fair pace.

Sammy comes back for his second spell, but is as ineffective as his first. Benn also not posing much of a threat
21:02
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Without taking any big risks, South Africa are scoring runs at a good pace. 41 runs have come from the last five overs, as the Proteas reach 181-3 in 34 overs and looking set for a huge victory.

West Indies can now only hope and pray!
20:58
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Roach bowls a poor delivery down the leg side to concede four leg byes, while Proteas takes singles off the remaining balls to get nine runs from that over.

Benn's seventh over is also milked for runs as seven come from his seventh over. SA are doing it quite sensibly by not taking unnecessary risks.

De Villiers looks determined to complete his century as he reaches 84 from 80 balls, while JP Duminy is on 19 from as many balls.
20:48
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De Villiers continues finding the boundaries as he hits Roach for his eighth four of the innings. A couple of deliveries later, Roach stuns JP Duminy with a quick rising delivery that the left-hander somehow manages to keep down.

But in the next over, Pollard's pace is easy to handle as he pulls a short ball through square leg for a four, helped by a poor piece of fielding from Darren Bravo on the square leg boundary.

De Villiers has raced to 81 from 76 balls and South Africa now need 66 runs in 19 overs at under 4 runs per over.
20:39
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Just when it looked that South Africa were doing it sensibly, they gave the Windies a slight hope.

Graeme Smith is the guilty party as he attempts a reckless shot to throw his wicket away. The Proteas captain, without any footwork, throws his bat to an incoming delivery from Pollard but misses and is bowled.

The left-hander made 45 from 78 balls, adding 119 runs in 141 balls for the third wicket with AB de Villiers.

That is a good over from Pollard as he concedes just two runs in that over, while getting an important wicket.

But South Africa don't need to panic or as many say 'choke'... :)
20:33
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A desperate West Indies bring back Roach but he is also dealt with quite easily as they pick up 3 singles in that over. Pollard also keep things tight in the next over, giving away two runs, but run rate is hardly a worry for the Proteas.

De Villiers breaks the shackles by lofting Benn over short cover for a four and then dances down the wicket off the next ball to send it into the stands over long-off for a six.

They have now reached 138-2 in 28 overs, needing another 85 runs from 22 overs for victory.
20:21
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At the halfway stage, South Africa are in complete control. Smith and de Villiers have raised the 100-run partnership for the third wicket as the Proteas cruise to 121 for two in 25 overs.

They need another 102 runs in the remaining 25 overs for victory. With eight wickets in hand, it is not hard to predict that South Africa are the runaway favourites at the moment.

Smith has been subdued so far and he looks determined to bat till the end, while de Villiers seems in fine form.
20:12
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AB de Villiers brings up his fifty in some style. He charges down the wicket to Gayle and lofts him over midwicket for a six, his first of the innings.

It took De Villiers just 54 balls to reach the landmark, helping South Africa rally after the two early wickets.

In the next over, the duo milk Pollard for easy singles before de Villiers deliberately edges it past the wicketkeeper for a four.

20:03
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Gayle continues to keep things tight from his end, conceding just nine runs from his first three overs. But runs are coming easy from the other end and South Africa are content to milk the bowling around.

Finally, Sammy stops bowling his non-effective medium pacers and gives way to Kieron Pollard.

Update on Dwayne Bravo's knee injury:

"He will get a scan tomorrow morning. He will take no part in the game today," said West Indies media manager Phillip Spooner.
19:57
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Chris Gayle also looking to keep it full and quick and not giving the batsmen anything to work at.

He nearly claimed a wicket in that over when AB de Villiers tried a slog over midwicket but Benn at long-on failed to get around in time.

Sammy continues to bowl, perhaps wanting to prove a point after his failure with the bat. De Villiers needs no second invitation when Sammy bowled a over-pitched delivery as he drives it through the covers. South Africa milk another couple of singles in that over to continue building their innings.




19:50
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The medium pacers are not making any sort of impression and West Indies introduce Chris Gayle into the attack.

He starts with a tight over first up, conceding just two runs. But it is wicket more than stopping runs that West Indies need at the moment.

With part-timers in operation from both ends with a defensive field, one cannot see how they will get wickets unless the batsmen make a mistake.

A perfect example is Sammy's next over when AB de Villiers got a thick outside edge but there was no fielders in the slips.
19:44
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Sammy bowls another uninspiring over, giving away four runs without creating any impression at all.

In the very next over, Dwayne Bravo, it seems, has twisted his right knee as he tries to stop a ball on his follow through but slips. He looks in a lot of pain and is carried out of the ground by his team-mates.

He bowled 2.1 overs conceding 12 runs and his absence will further deplete the inexperienced Windies attack.

Meanwhile, Smith and de Villiers bring up their 50-run partnership for the third wicket in the 15th over.

Despite those two early wickets, South Africa seem in control.


19:28
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West Indies take the Bowling Powerplay after ten overs. They will be hoping the next five overs go according to plan and then they will look to squeeze the pressure in the middle overs.

West Indies captain Sammy comes into the attack and sends down a few slow off-cutters, giving away five runs in his opening over.

Smith finally gets it off the middle as he slams a wide delivery through the covers for a four, in the 12th over.
19:18
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AB de Villiers charges down the wicket to Benn and lofts him over covers for a double.

Smith (7) would have fallen run out in that over but Benn failed to correct the throw from wicketkeeper Thomas and knock down the stumps.

Meanwhile, Dwayne Bravo replaces Roach after the pacer was hit for three fours in his previous over.

AB de Villiers continues his positive start. He unfurls a cracking drive through the covers for yet another four, his fourth of the innings, to reach 22 from 18 balls.


19:11
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Another superb over from Benn as he beats Smith a couple of times. He is give the ball some air and Smith has no clue as to where the ball is turning.

But Roach follows that up with a poor over and is hit for three fours by AB de Villiers.

AB de Villiers drives him through the covers and then cuts Roach twice through the point region to calm some nerves in the South African dressing room.
19:04
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Graeme Smith gets a much-needed boundary as he flicks Roach through square leg for his first four. Roach nearly got him caught behind as Smith flirted with a wide outgoing delivery only to miss it.

Smith and AB de Villiers need to repair the early damage with some steady batting in the next few overs.
19:01
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Benn has lifted West Indies by taking the big wicket of Jacques Kallis.

The veteran batsman tried to drive through the off-side but got an edge and Sammy completed a good catch at first slip, just inches from the ground.

South Africa's two recent in-form players are back in the dressing room.

West Indies need to make this good start count and not throw it away like they did with the bat.
18:55
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Benn's first delivery of his second over goes for a boundary. He drops it a bit short and Amla is quick to pounce on the error by cutting it through the thirdman region.

In the next over, Amla tries to pull a short delivery from Roach but the ball didn't rise as much and lands short of the fielder at square leg.

But Roach had his man off the very next ball. He bowled a fast incoming delivery getting the inside edge off Amla's bat and wicketkeeper Thomas completed a sharp catch diving to his left.

That wicket has fired up Roach, who bowls a quick yorker that Kallis somehow keeps out and pulls the next ball to fine leg for a single.
18:47
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Left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn starts with a good first over, beating both the South African openers once.

Just one run came from that over but Hashim Amla gets South Africa running with a lovely flick through the leg side off Kemar Roach through midwicket.


18:39
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Will West Indies be able to bounce back with the ball?

The dew will certainly hamper their spinners, and they will largely depend on their pacers claiming early wickets.

The key batsman for South Africa would no doubt be Jacques Kallis. But the Proteas have a long batting line-up and they should chase down this score with ease.

By the way, West Indies also decide to open with spin, giving the new ball to Suleiman Benn.
18:00
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Once again the West Indies fail to last the full quota of 50 overs.

Suleiman Benn is the final wicket to fall. He tries to hit Steyn over the off-side but is caught by Morkel for six.

West Indies are bowled out for 222 in 47.3 overs, having lost their last five wickets for 13 runs in the space of six overs.

A memorable debut for Tahir as he takes four for 41 in ten overs, while Steyn ran through the tail to claim three for 24.

South Africa's gamble of playing three spinners paid-off as the spinners claimed six of the ten wickets to fall.

West Indies will also be hampered by the dew factor.

17:43
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West Indies captain Darren Sammy also fails to contribute with the bat. He falls in a similar fashion to Pollard, trapped leg before wicket by a quick full delivery and this time Saheba rules in favour of the bowler.

A dream debut for Tahir, who ends with four for 41 from his ten overs.

Another mini collapse for the Windies as they lose four wickets for four runs in the space of three overs.
17:41
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It keeps getting from bad to worse for the West Indies.

Tahir bowls a superb over to the inexperienced Devon Thomas, who obliges by holing the last ball on the off-side to be caught for 15.


17:34
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I believe West Indies have messed up with the timing of the Batting Powerplay. They should have taken it around the 40th over mark, but with the last seven overs to go they will face the pace battery of Steyn and Morkel in the Powerplay.

And they will have no firepower to take advantage of the Powerplay.

Kieron Pollard is trapped leg before wicket for a first-ball duck by Steyn. Umpire Amish Saheba initially turned down the appeal, but SA ask for a review and Pollard is found plumb in front of the sticks.

17:27
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What a debut for Tahir! He claims his third wicket, infact gifted a wicket with Chanderpaul dancing down the wicket and holing out to the long-off fielder after a painstaking knock of 31 from 51 balls.

And next batsman Kieron Pollard walks to a huge cheer, the biggest of the day, from the fans inside the Kotla stadium.


17:24
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Botha back into the attack to bowl his final two overs. He starts off with a poor delivery, five wides down the leg side.

Devon Thomas is looking busy right from the start and is using his wrists to good effect to collect singles and twos. He ends the Botha over with a delightful late cut that goes for a four through the thirdman region as West Indies go past the 200-run mark, in the 42nd over.


17:17
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Another shocker from the West Indies here.

They hold back their most dangerous batsman in Kieron Pollard and send the inexperienced Devon Thomas at number seven. Perhaps they are keeping him back for the Batting Powerplay overs.

Chanderpaul has woken up from his slumber...finally! He slog sweeps Peterson for his first six as the ball just makes it over the midwicket boundary. Nine runs come from that over as WI reach 190-5 in 40 overs.


17:14
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The West Indies have done it yet again!

Just when things were looking bright, they self destruct. It was Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who has to take the blame for running out partner Dwayne Bravo.

Chanderpaul, struggling on 16 from 38 balls, tried a reverse sweep and then called Bravo for a non-existent single, who was run out after a quick 40 from 37 balls.

That was a big wicket for South Africa. The West Indies will now need Chanderpaul to bat out the remaining overs and also lift his strike rate.
17:08

Bravo is on 36, while Chanderpaul is on 16. The duo have put on 57 off 67 balls.

West Indies175 for four after 37 overs.

17:06

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Bravo hits another six off Peterson -- his third overall. It's a good over for Windies as10 runs came from the 36th over.

16:48
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Dwayne Bravo gets another maximum to his name. This time, he steps down the wicket to Botha and lofts him over midwicket for his second six.

Off the next ball, he sweeps Botha for a single on the leg side, while Chanderpaul is content to bat with patience and look for only singles and twos.

Windies will want the duo to bat for another 6-7 overs before taking the Batting Powerplay around the 40th over mark.
16:42
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Just like his brother earlier in the day, Dwayne Bravo also decides to adopt a positive approach.

He is quick to pounce on a short ball from Imran to despatch it over square leg for a huge six.

Tahir is quick to rectify his mistakes as he bowls flatter and quicker, but the batsmen pick five singles off the next five balls.


16:40
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After 30 overs, it is South Africa, who are in control. After a good start, West Indies seemed to have lost their way to reach 129-4.

They now lost three wickets for seven runs in the space of three overs.

Can they recover or will the South African spinners continue to chip away at the wickets?
16:34
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Tahir delivers another big blow for South Africa. This time it is Ramnaresh Sarwan, who is trapped leg before wicket for 2. The veteran batsman reviewed the decision but the reviews showed the ball was clipping the bails and the decision stands.

In the same over, Tahir fails to hold on to a difficult return catch from Dwayne Bravo.


16:15
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South Africa strike back with wickets in successive overs.

Imran Tahir gets his maiden wicket in international cricket. Devon Smith lobs one straight back to the bowler to be caught and bowled for 36.

WICKET: D Smith c and b Tahir 36 (57b, 3 fours)

In the previous over, Botha had claimed the wicket of Darren Bravo.

Those two quick wickets have seen South Africa rally their way back into the contest.

That brings together West Indies' most experienced batting duo of Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Will they continue the good work and continue building the score in the middle overs or will WI continue to collapse?
16:06
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In not so good news from the past for South Africa.

Exactly a year ago, Sachin Tendulkar had scored the first ever double century in ODIs, against South Africa in Gwalior.

And West Indies also looking to bat South Africa out of the contest by posting a huge total.

But Botha checks their progress with the big wicket of Bravo. The left-hander is given leg before wicket and he promptly decides to review it, but it is ruled in favour of the bowler.

WICKET: Darren Bravo lbw b Botha 73 (82b, 8 fours, 1 six)
16:02
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Will South Africa be regretting their decision to pack their side with so many spinners?

The Proteas have managed to stop the flow of boundaries in the last few overs as just 23 runs have come from the last five overs.

Both Bravo and Smith now looking to milk the spinners in the middle overs.
15:56
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Now it's Devon Smith, who decides to up the ante. He charges down the wicket to Peterson and lofts him back over his head for a four.

South African spinners unable to make any sort of impression on the two batsmen. Only four fielders inside the 30-yard circle now and singles are coming easily.

Five singles in the 20th over bowled by Both as the duo bring up their 100-run partnership from 117 balls.

So far, nine overs have bowled by the three SA spinners, and they have conceded 43 runs between them.

15:45
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Meanwhile, the two teams take a drinks break.

Interestingly, both the teams ignore the drinks cart by official drinks supplier Gatorade for their personalised drinks.

West Indies have staged a brilliant recovery after that early Gayle wicket to reach 86 for one in 17 overs.

Bravo has been brilliant with the bat as he stroked 62 from 63 balls, and he has got good support from Devon Smith, who has made 19 from 36 balls.

Meanwhile, as the players take a drinks break, you can check out Rediff's new World Cup video feature. Silly Point - Episode 3
15:38
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Darren Bravo gets to his fifty in some style. He drives a full delivery from Tahir through covers for a double to reach the landmark off 55 balls, with eight fours.

And as if to celebrate the landmark, he lofts down Tahir down the ground for the first six of the match. Once again, the comparisons with Lara start flowing as Bravo hits a one-handed six similar to the West Indies legend.

South Africa in a bit of quandary here. They have three spinners in their team, but Bravo seems keen to take on the slow bowlers.
15:34
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Darren Bravo makes everyone stand and applause his genius. He plays the perfect straight drive to Morkel for a four, a shot that reminds a lot of Sachin Tendulkar.

Meanwhile, if Bravo reminds of Lara, one can't help thinking of Abdul Qadir when watching Tahir's run-up.

Morkel makes a good comeback, beating Bravo twice outside the off-stump. And off the next ball, the Windies have a close shave as Smith steals a quick single despite a direct hit from du Plessis in the covers.

Bravo was unlucky not to have picked up another boundary in that cover. A perfectly timed shot through the covers looked headed for a certain boundary before Peterson came up with a brilliant diving save at covers.
15:28
Live scorecard

WI 63-1 (14 ovs)

Bravo continues to entertain. This time he takes the aerial route against Morkel, pulling him over mid-on for his seventh four, to reach 42 from 47 balls.

He seems quite confident even while defending and his shot selection has been impressive.

Meanwhile, talking of the Brian Lara comparison. It was Lara, whose century twice gave West Indies victories over South Africa out of four games in the World Cup.

Debutant Imran Tahir comes into the attack, with the Bowling Powerplay still in operation and starts with a tight opening over, giving away just a single.
15:21
Live scorecard

WI 58-1 (12)

West Indies are 44 for one after 10 overs and South Africa promptly take the Bowling Powerplay.

Smith gets his second four of the day as he cut a short delivery from Morkel through the point region.

In the next over, Bravo continues tormenting Kallis. This time he was quick to pounce on a short ball and pull it over midwicket for his sixth four.

The duo bring up their 50-run partnership off just 66 balls and it is South Africa, who are under pressure now. They need a wicket soon or the two batsmen seem to be getting better and confident with every passing over.
15:08
Live scorecard

WI 42-1 (9 ovs)

Morkel had a confident leg before wicket against Smith turned down, in his second over. The Proteas decided not to take the Review but it seems they were wrong as the review system showed the ball would have hit the leg stump.

He also nearly decapitated Bravo with a quick bouncer as the left-hander just managed to get out of the way.
15:03
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WI 39-1 (8 ovs)

Surprisingly, Steyn is taken off after just three overs with the new ball.

Jacques Kallis is hit for a boundary in his first over as Darren Bravo lofts him over the mid-on fielder. The left-hander then brings back memories of Lara yet again as slashes one through the covers for another four.

There is no stopping Bravo here as off the next delivery he lofts Kallis over the off-side for a double. He has now raced to 28 from 31 balls, while Smith is on seven.
14:55
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WI 28-1 (6 ovs)

An interesting battle taking place already between Darren Bravo and Dale Steyn.

Steyn errs with his length and Bravo is quick to smash him through the covers for his third boundary against the pacer.

An angry Steyn then tries the bouncer against Bravo but it goes down the leg side and is called a wide.

Meanwhile, Botha is taken off after three overs with the new ball and is replaced by Morne Morkel.
14:49
Live scorecard

WI 22-1 (5)

Another good over by Botha as just two runs came from it. He is looking to flight the ball up and force the batsmen into a mistake, but so far the Windies duo have resisted the temptation.

Steyn also recovers after that poor first over by bowling a maiden to Bravo.

Devon Smith gets his first boundary by cutting a short delivery from Botha through the vacant thirdman region.

14:44
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WI 14-1 (2 ovs)

Dale Steyn takes over from the other end. Darren Bravo is off to a confident start as he flicks Dale Steyn twice through the leg side for boundaries.

Bravo's batting style looks so much similar to Brian Lara.

11 runs came from that Steyn over and Windies will want Bravo to continue his positive approach.
14:37
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WI 3-1 (1 ov)

What a fantastic start by South Africa!

Botha claimed the wicket of dangerman Gayle for two and then had a confident leg before wicket appeal against Darren Bravo turned down. The South Africans called on the referral but the point of impact was outside the off-stump, so it went in favour of the batsman.
14:32
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South Africa shocked a few by getting Johan Botha to bowl the first over. But the gamble paid off as he struck in his very first over.

Chris Gayle edged one to first slip to be dismissed for two as West Indies lose a big wicket right at the start.

West Indies under pressure from the start here.
14:23
South Africa captain Graeme Smith has won the toss and elected to field against West Indies in Delhi.

The Proteas captain will be hoping that his pacers can take advantage of the overcast conditions. He also pointed out that dew will play a part in the second half of the match under lights.

South Africa have included three spinners in their squad. Tahir Imran, Johan Botha and Robin Peterson are the three frontline spinners, while Faf du Plessis and JP Duminy can bowl a few overs of part-time spin.

On the other hand, West Indies have gone in with a pace-dominated attack. Suleiman Benn is the lone spinner in the squad, while Chris Gayle will chip with in a few overs. Kemar Roach, Darren Sammy, Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard are the medium pacers in the squad.
13:46
Former India all-rounder Mohinder Amarnath, who was part of India's 1983 World Cup winning squad, has tipped South Africa to get the better of West Indies.

However, he believes South Africa got to be wary of West Indies' opener Chris Gayle.

"If he can get the innings off to a great start and, more importantly, stay to build an innings, he could well win the match for the Windies. However, his recent form has been poor. He averages just 25.50 with the bat in his last 10 innings and has not scored an ODI century in two years. He's been talking of his determination to do well, and I hope that he pulls it off."
13:25
Cricinfo's Nagraj Gollapudi reports that Scott Styris on Wednesday, created an unnecessary flutter when he remarked on Twitter that the BCCI had refused to entertain New Zealand's request to borrow Paul Close, the physio at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore...(read more)

KR Nayar, from the Gulf News, says some Indian cricketers are superstitious and International Cricket Council officials are now finding it difficult because some are breaking tournament rules to back their beliefs....(read more)

Meanwhile, Atreyo Mukhopadhyay from the Hindustan Times, writes Nobody is pressing the panic button as yet, but the fitness, or the lack of it, of some of the Indian players has suddenly become an issue... (read more)
13:14
Welcome to Rediff.com's coverage of Game 7 of the 2011 World Cup between South Africa and West Indies at the Ferozshah Kotla in Delhi, on Thursday.

Things don't look good at the moment. It is overcast at the venue and the weathermen have predicted some rain during the day in the city.

The teams have started their warm-up exercises as the crowds also start pouring in. It is expected to be a full house and the organisers will be hoping that rain doesn't play spoilsport.

The stadium has been turned into a fortress with Delhi policemen, special commandos and private security guards manning the venue.




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