The day did start well for West Indies as it was West Indies who won the toss and decided to ball taking the overcast conditions and D/L method into consideration. South Africa got off to a sensational start as they were 80/0 in the first 12 overs but the first ball of the 13th over brought the downfall of Amla. Captain AB De Villers arrived at the crease to take charge of the South African innings. He along with Collin Ingram were looking to take the game away from the West Indies but Pollard came to the rescue as he sent the dangerous Ingram back to the pavilion at 73 off 63 balls who was taking the charge to the opposition.
Duminy came to the crease but his stay at the crease was as short as bubbles on the surface of hand. Bravo removed Duminy in the following over and Du Plessis came to join captain at the crease. As this pair was looking good, De Villiers gave his wicket away to Rampaul and South Africa were suddenly 124/1 to 153/4 losing all their players in a span of just 30 runs. Du Plessis and David Miller rescued South Africa as they stitched a partnership of 68 runs in 48 balls to helpSouth Africa reach a huge total of 230 but they both were cleared up in the last over by Bravo but it was their effort that helped Proteas put some fight against the guys from the Carribeans.
Match was all set- West Indies need 231 in 31 overs to ensure their qualification while South Africa just need to restrict the opponents to get through to the semis.
West Indies got off to a good start and made 31 in the first 6 overs before Steyn gun fired one at Charles who edged it to De Villiers- u cannot keep this guy out of the game for a long time, he returns and he gets one. Smith then came at the crease and along with Gayle played some good shots before West Indies suffered a blow when Morris sent Gayle to the pavilion. Seeing Gayle going, Smith too followed him to the pavilion leaving West Indies at 87/3 in 15 overs. Samuels and Darren Bravo was at the crease but as they were looking good, some misunderstanding and good piece of fielding from Amla saw West Indies lose another one. Pollard then arrived at the crease to see West Indies home. He along with Samuels brought West Indies back into the game by stitching a partnership of 58 runs before sensational Steyn once again returned to remove Samuels who was looking dangerous and was taking game away from South Africa.
Then the duo of Pollard and Bravo who has been doing it for the West Indies on so many occasions was at the crease. West Indies were 172/5 at the end of 24 overs needing 59 off last 7 overs and with Pollard and Bravo at the crease match was in balance but rain was not on West Indies side as after 2 overs rain once again showed his superiority and match was tied as West Indies who was in front of the par score were suddenly tied to South Africa as Pollard was dismissed of the very first ball of the Mclaren over. Had Pollard not got out, the par here would have been 187.Umpires called off for the covers and match was never restarted again ending in a tie according to D/L method seeing South Africa reach the Semis on the criteria of net run rate.
Congratulations to South Africa for their win but we must say West Indies were a bit unlucky on the day otherwise we would have seen a different verdict.
South Africa next take on the winners of Group A. Today’s match will definitely hurt West Indies but they can’t go above the will of the god. West Indies joinPakistan going out of the competition. We have got the 2 semi-finalists from Group B—India and South Africa, other 2 from Group A are still to be decided.
South Africa 231/6 in 31 overs (Ingram 73, Steyn 2/33) proved to be enough against the West Indies 190/6 in their 26.1 overs (Samuels 48, Gayle 36) as the match was tied according to D/L method and South Arica go through on net run rate knocking West Indies out of the competition.
Man of the Match: Colin Ingram for his blasting 73 off 63 balls which helped South Africa reach a huge total of 230 in 31 overs.