South Africa Dominated West Indies

ICC World Cup 2011,February,24-2011:Riding high on a magnificent ton from AB de Villiers, South Africa opened their ICC Cricket World Cup campaign with a seven wicket win over West Indies.
West Indies Innings One-day debutant Imran Tahir’s four wickets helped South Africa restrict West Indies to 222 in their World Cup Group B clash in New Delhi.
Having sent the Windies into bat, the Proteas used spin to maximum effect – from the very first over, bowled by Johan Botha – as Pakistan-born Tahir finished with figures of four for 41 in his 10 overs, with paceman Dale Steyn also grabbing three wickets.
Darren Bravo had initially boosted the West Indies’ fightback with his 73 off 82 balls but despite his half-brother Dwayne chipping in with 40 towards the end, a collapse could not be prevented as the last four batsmen fell for just 13 runs.
Botha gave South Africa the perfect start when Chris Gayle was caught at slip from only the third ball of the day, but Darren Bravo and Devon Smith recovered well to take the total past 50.
However, the second-wicket partnership and Bravo’s individual innings came to an end on 73 each when the left-hander was given out lbw off Botha.
West Indies’ woes increased when Tahir dispatched Smith (36) and Ramnaresh Sarwan (two) in successive overs, but he missed his chance to claim a third just four deliveries later when he dropped Dwayne Bravo off his own bowling.
Bravo built on that escape to swiftly reach 40 – hitting three sixes along the way – but a mix-up in running caught him well short at the striker’s end.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul (31) held the fort alongside Devon Thomas (14) and helped West Indies cross 200 before he was caught at long-off, while Kieron Pollard failed to ignite the closing overs, adjudged lbw to Steyn after a review for a first-ball duck.
Steyn wrapped up the tail with ease, removing Darren Sammy (nought) and Sulieman Benn (six) as the Windies were all out with two and a half overs to spare.

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