Pollock takes South Africa to victory | Cricket - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Pollock takes South Africa to victory

AFP | ByChris Burnes, Johannesburg
Jan 19, 2008 02:25 AM IST

Shaun Pollock's farewell tour of South Africa started in triumph when he steered his country to victory in a Twenty20 international against the West Indies at the Wanderers Stadium on Friday.

Shaun Pollock's farewell tour of South Africa started in triumph when he steered his country to victory in a Twenty20 international against the West Indies at the Wanderers Stadium on Friday.

HT Image
HT Image

Pollock top-scored with 36 not out off 25 balls as South Africa won by four wickets with four balls to spare.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

South Africa were outsiders when they slumped to 77 for six in bowler-friendly conditions, still needing 55 to win in 6.1 overs.

But man-of-the match Pollock, who has announced he will retire after a five-match one-day series which starts at Centurion Sunday, shared an unbeaten 57-run partnership with Albie Morkel, who made 28 not out.

South Africa still needed 21 off the last two overs but Pollock hit the first two balls of the 19th over from off-spinner Marlon Samuels for six and the target suddenly became easy.

The West Indies made 131 for seven after being sent in on a pitch which gave considerable help to the seam bowlers.

Stand-in captain Dwayne Bravo made a hard-hit 24 off 17 overs with two sixes but extras was the biggest contributor to the total with 29, including a remarkable 15 byes.

With the ball swinging and moving prodigiously off the seam, the West Indies were in deep trouble at 79 for six in the 15th over but Bravo's attacking innings and some audacious running for byes when the ball beat the bat enabled the West Indies to make a competitive total.

Rain during the afternoon made it seem unlikely that play would start on time but there was a break in the weather at the time of the toss.

It was the second 20-overs international of the tour.

The West Indies won by five wickets in a game reduced to 13 overs a side in Port Elizabeth in December before the Test series, which South Africa won by two matches to one.

Pollock claimed the wicket of Rawl Lewis to finish with 15 wickets in 12 Twenty20 internationals - more than any other bowler in the shortest form of the game.

South Africa's pace bowlers posed problems for the batsmen but off-spinner Justin Ontong conceded 25 runs off two overs, including both Bravo's sixes.

Chris Gayle, the tour captain, had still not recovered from a broken thumb and the side was captained by Bravo, who led the side in the third and final Test in Durban.

But Bravo again could not bowl because of a side strain while fast bowler Morne Morkel returned to the South African team after being out of international action since September with a stress fracture of the foot.

Stay updated with the latest Cricket News, IPL Live Scores, and get exclusive insights with the RCB vs KKR Live Score, IPL 2024 Schedule, match highlights, and more. Explore a comprehensive Cricket Schedule, track the race for the Purple Cap and Orange Cap in IPL 2024, check Virat Kohli performance and stay ahead with all the cricket-related updates on the Hindustan Times website and app.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On