West Indies v South Africa | 2nd ODI | Antigua | 24/5/10

[Sir john]

hope indies win this one.

West Indies v South Africa, 2nd ODI, Antigua
West Indies seek to bridge the gap

The Preview by Liam Brickhill

May 23, 2010
Comments: 27 | Text size: A | A

Match Facts
Monday, May 24
Start time 0930 (1330 GMT)

Hashim Amla is congratulated by AB de Villiers, West Indies v South Africa, 1st ODI, Antigua, May 22, 2010
Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers added 129 for the third wicket, both going on to register centuries in the first ODI © AFP
Related Links
Players/Officials: AB de Villiers | Andre Fletcher | David Miller | Ramnaresh Sarwan
Matches: West Indies v South Africa at North Sound
Series/Tournaments: South Africa tour of West Indies
Teams: South Africa | West Indies

The Big Picture
South Africa proved too strong for West Indies once again in the first one-dayer to extend the early success of their tour, with the change in limited-overs format making little difference to the hosts' fortunes. The architects of South Africa's win were Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers, both of whom went to centuries and added 129 for the third wicket as the West Indian bowlers failed to make the most of conditions that had plenty to offer the seamers.

"It was a terrific effort," Graeme Smith said after the game. "Hash [Amla] and I got off to a good start and in particular in his partnership with AB - it's always great to see two guys get hundreds and they deserved the hundreds that they got. They played superbly well."

Chris Gayle was understandably disconsolate after yet another patchy effort. But while it is easy to point out where West Indies got things wrong - the failure of their bowlers to land six balls in a row on the spot and the inability of their batsmen to build partnerships - it is less clear just how they can turn things around.

West Indies haven't been helped by injuries to Kemar Roach and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, and have called in Dale Richards for the second game. Other than that, they are largely stuck with the squad they have for the moment as other potential replacements for an underperforming batting line-up - such as Devon Smith, Darren Bravo and Brendan Nash - are away on tour with the A side, though it is possible they could be drafted in for the fourth and fifth ODIs. While there is undeniable potential talent in the national squad, and one cannot rule out an improved performance in the second game, it seems more likely that South Africa will maintain the gulf in class between the two sides.

Form guide (only completed matches, most recent first)
South Africa WWLLL
West Indies LWWWW

Watch out for...
David Miller has eased himself into international cricket with minimum fuss - albeit against a bowling attack that is lolling in the doldrums at the moment. His 33 on debut took South Africa to a winning total when they were looking shaky, and his unbeaten 23 in the first ODI also gave his side's scoreline a timely boost. In both games, he came in with overs running out at the end of the innings, but if he is given more time he already appears to have the capacity to make a big score.

For a player who has scored 5,092 runs in limited-overs internationals at an average of more than 44, Ramnaresh Sarwan's performances after his comeback from injury have been disappointing. His captain has made clear his desire for someone in the top order to take the initiative, and after a mediocre start in this series, West Indies desperately need Sarwan back at his stylish best.

Team news
It's unclear what meaningful changes West Indies might be able to make to their side, but they will want Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Kemar Roach back as soon as they have recovered from their injuries. Failing that, they will have to stick to the team that lost the opening game on Saturday, although there seems little point in asking Andre Fletcher to open at the moment and someone from the middle order - Sarwan, perhaps - may need to step up and fill a temporary role.

West Indies (possible): 1 Chris Gayle (capt), 2 Ramnaresh Sarwan, 3 Dwayne Bravo, 4 Narsingh Deonarine, 5 Kieron Pollard, 6 Andre Fletcher, 7 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 8 Darren Sammy, 9 Jerome Taylor, 10 Nikita Miller, 11 Ravi Rampaul

South Africa struck a winning combination in the first game, and although they have said that now is the time for a fresh outlook in the side, they will more than likely stick to the successful formula.

South Africa (possible): 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 Hashim Amla, 3 Jacques Kallis, 4 AB de Villiers (wk), 5 JP Duminy, 6 David Miller, 7 Johan Botha, 8 Ryan McLaren, 9 Dale Steyn, 10 Morne Morkel, 11 Lonwabo Tsotsobe

Pitch and conditions
The pitch used in the first ODI looked far improved from the mottled, two-paced wicket in the Twenty20s, although there is still something in it for the bowlers. Taking nothing away from Amla and de Villiers' superb efforts, that South Africa reached 280 was in large part due to inconsistent bowling from West Indies. Unfortunately, there's a good chance that this game may be affected by the weather, with a high probability of showers in the area.

Stats and trivia

* AB de Villiers has accumulated 486 runs at an average of 121.5 in his last six ODI innings, with his hundred on Saturday his third in consecutive innings, and his fourth in six innings since he reached 121 in the third ODI of England's winter tour

* At the opposite end of the spectrum, Andre Fletcher's last innings of note was 48 against Canada in April. Since then, he has made just 55 runs in seven international innings, at an average of 9.17.

Quotes
"We want to play well, we want to win the series and we want to have a very successful tour of the West Indies."
So far, Graeme Smith's men have had little trouble achieving their goals.

"We need someone out of the top five to take the initiative."
It may be stating the obvious, but Chris Gayle's batsmen should know what is expected of them by now

 

[Sir john]

team news
dale richards replace fletcher
alvo pieterson replaces duminy

south africa won the toss and batting first

 

[IAJ]

South Africa batting first again, huh. I wanted to see Gayle bat without scorecard preassure.

 

[siccric]

wow, I got my GMT all messed up

I thought this was starting at 2030 PST

thanks PPers for making this thread

 

[Nazir_ Rules]

AMLA looking good once again.

 

[Sir john]

H amla record 26 1150 140 54.76


South Africa 148/1 (27.5 ov)

 

[Amjid Javed]

S.A set for a bumper total just like in 1st ODI.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Amla gone for 92!

S.A 168/2 after 31.3 Overs...

 

[Nazir_ Rules]

AMLA out now. 92

 

[Sir john]

Sa 249/3 In 44,

 

[siccric]

WI need to get 300 in 50 overs


they really need Gayle, Sarwan and Bravo to fire today, but the chances of that happening are quite slim

 

[Atif]

Gayle is beginning to turn it on now, hit 3 fours and a six so far in his 26 runs innings

 

[Mohsin]

Once Gayle goes it'll be the same old story

 

[Atif]

Gayle is out

 

[asifp]

The lack of interest in this series showing, how quickly ODI cricket is dying.

ICC needs to get a grip on the amount of cricket being played. Serious over kill

 

[Inswinger]

33.5


McLaren to Pollard, 1 wide, 43.9 mph, Comic drama! It was the slowest of the slow bouncers.. Pollard had so much time that he got very confused. Should I pull. Should i hit it to the on side , should i ... oops the ball was now suddenly dropping and he tries to upper cut but misses it completely .. the ball landed behind the stumps and rolled away .. And Pollard has a wry smile. A true You tube movement

Looking forward to seeing this clip.

 

[Oxy]

Gayle is turning into a liability for WI at test & ODIs.

He doesnt seem to give a toss any more.

Stanford & IPL paychques have corrupted the guy!!!

 

[Awesome_Username]

Chasing 300, we have this wonderful spectacle :

DM Richards b Kallis 51 (85b 6x4 0x6) SR: 60.00

West Indians rejoice! You have found your Misbah!

 

[bantu]

Windies atleast showing some fight.............eventhought the RRR is 9.54 with 13 overs to go
(i mean after gayle departed i thought they will fold more easily)

 

[sannah12]

Sammi on fire.
5 sixes so far.

 

[cricketpassion]

30 off 20 now .another six .now 24 off 19 balls .wow

Fastest fifty by D Sammy for WI

 

[cricketpassion]

Sammy has change the game

 

[ssuhaide]

Brutal hitting from Sammy, can he pull off one of the most remarkable wins in ODI history.

Quickest ODI 50 by a West Indian.

 

[cricketpassion]

Rampal runout .lastman in .Sami is still there .but its really difficult for WI. 18 off 12 balls

 

[cricketpassion]

out .good throw by Smith . run out .SA won by 17 runs

 

[PB]

Awwn Man

 

[PB]

IS Chris Gayle stupid or what?
He sent Jerome Taylor at number 7?

 

[Sledger]

Jerome Taylor has a test hundred.

 

[PB]

Yeah but this was when hitting was needed.
Not just jab the ball around..

I'm sure if he sent Sammy at 7, they might have won..
Or gotten out..But you never know.

Here is a postive for Windies.

They got good low order hitting in Bravo, Pollard and Sammy.
They need to get rid of Denarine, and Rampaul.
And bring back Fidel Edwards and Kemar Roach.

Taylor
Edwards
Roach
Bravo
Miller
Thats a good bowling line up.

 

[Friend786]

great innings from sammy !! he can win a contract from ipl !!

 

[forzapakistan]

Ohhh what an exciting innings by Sammy! Love him! Too bad it wasn't enough. I would have loved to see a Windies win. Brilliant run out by Smith.

 

[Friend786]

it was almost a hussey innings !

 

[Sir john]

indies lost last two wickets very useless.




sammy become first indies player who scores fastest fifty

 

[Khabri420]

Wow..what a match this turned out to be. Just looked at the comments now...seems like Sammy's innings is worth a watch. Turning out to be a very valuable player for the Windies

 

[Amir]

indies lost last two wickets very useless.




sammy become first indies player who scores fastest fifty

Tell me what is wrong with that last sentence