The World Cup has been a cup of woes for the West Indies Team. They came into the match needing a victory over South Africa, but instead got defeated convincingly yet again.
The Match: Lara won the toss and took a disastrous decision by sending South Africa into bat. When SouthAfrica were 36/1 after the 10 over mark, West Indies would have had high hopes of restricting SouthAfrica to a score of 250-260 runs, but it was just the calm before the storm.
Powerplays cost West Indies dearly: Lara took the 2nd powerplay in the 11th over. It backfired as Kallis and AB De Villiers plundered 50 runs off the second powerplay. De Villers(141 runs) and Kallis(81 runs)built a run-a-ball 170 run partnership. Kallis played an unusually aggressive innings as he hit six fours and a six to score 81(86 balls). Ab De Villiers, on the other hand, scored a blazing knock of 141 runs(130 balls). Although he started off slowly, he shifted gears after the 11th over and hit 5 sixes and 12 boundaries before getting out in the 43rd over.
None of the West Indian bowlers, except Corey COlleymore(2/41), seemed to contain SouthAfrica. To make things worse, Lara took a disastrous decision when he postponed the last powerplay till the 44th over. It backfired disastrously as Herschelle Gibbs and Mark Boucher smashed the West Indian bowlers to all parts of the ground. The last powerplay cost West Indies a massive 77 runs(8 sixes )as 26 runs were hit in the last over of the powerplay. Boucher scored a dynamic 52 off just 23 balls. He slogged 5 mighty sixes, mostly over midwicket.Boucher's blazing innings completely overshadowed Gibbs, who scored a superb 61(off just 40 balls). The last 10 overs cost West Indies a whopping 134 runs. West Indies were set an improbable target of 357 to chase.
West Indies disappoint again: West Indies started disastrously losing Chanderpaul(5) in the 3rd over. Dwayne Smith made a belligerent 33(27balls) before he was superbly caught by a diving De Villers off Nel's bowling. Gayle(32runs) promised to fire, but was run out by a direct hit from Prince. West Indian hopes were shattered totally when Lara(21) charged Kallis down the pitch only to chop one onto the stumps. When Bravo got out in the 25th overs, West Indies were down and out at 142/5.
Sarwan and Powell shine: Sarwan was the saving grace for West Indies as he scored a brilliant 92 off just 75 balls(10 fours and 1 six). He was well supported by Ian Bradshaw who made a patient 20(45 balls). But when Sarwan got out in the 39th over, SouthAfrica were staring at a big win. But Daren Powell hit a powerfull 48 off just 36 balls(3 sixes)and Corey Colleymore hit a six off the last ball to reduce the victory marigin to just 67 runs.
Highlights: The 170 run partnership between Jacque Kallis and Ab De Villers.
Boucher's innings of 52(23 balls, 5 sixes;2 fours). Gibb's innings of 60(40 balls)
Sarwan's knock of 92(75 balls)
Lara's wicket(Remember Lara was South Africa's nemesis as he had hit 2 centuries against them in the previous world cups.)
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