Day 14: Windies blown away by AB
SA cricket fans are in a much better mood.
YOU have to give Chris Gayle some credit for the way he turned the game in South Africa’s favour today.
He may have failed (later) with the bat but it was his bowling which got rid of Faf du Plessis and Hashim Amla in quick succession.
It brought Rilee Rossouw and AB de Villiers to the wicket in a minor pressure situation and forced them to rebuild, establishing a platform from which AB could launch.
And launch he did. As you all know by now of course. He made 162* off 66 balls.
So for the record, the Proteas scored 408/5. Even-much maligned Farhaan Behardien cleared the ropes, once.
The West Indies limped to 151 all out.
There was some consolation for Jason Holder, who was smashed for 104 runs, as he came in at number 9 and made 56.
Incredibly, his first five overs went for less than 10 runs.
The win will no doubt send a few cold shivers down the spines of some of South Africa’s major opposition.
So, here’s how the selectors need to pick the team going forward:
1. Hashim Amla – was perfect today, let him be the anchor and build the innings.
2. Quinton de Kock – don’t want AB keeping. Let him swing, he’ll come good.
3. Faf du Plessis – showed good signs today, leave him there. Great fielder too.
4. Rilee Rossouw – well, perhaps AB should come in, but on today’s evidence, Rossouw is a proper bat.
5. AB de Villiers – if he keeps this up he can bat wherever he wants to.
6. David Miller – perfect fit for him. He can consolidate or launch, whichever is required.
7. JP Duminy – if fit, he can be the allrounder and bowl close to 10 overs. A great finisher.
8. Dale Steyn – must open bowling with Kyle Abbott to make use of early swing.
9. Kyle Abbott – must open bowling with Dale Steyn to make use of early swing.
10. Morne Morkel – needs to just stick to what he knows and do it well.
11. Imran Tahir – don’t change anything with him right now. Doing a great job.
It does leave the Proteas a little light on extra bowlers, but Faf and AB can send down a few darts.
It will be interesting to see how SA go against Pakistan on March 7.
The final Pool game is against UAE on March 12.
