De Villiers was the man of the moment as he helped South Africa to there first victory in this world cup. The day started off with South Africa winning the toss and decided to field the thinking about this might have been he due factor later on in the match.
West Indies started off with the worst possible start as as Gayle was out for only after 2 runs were on the board. But the West Indies started to play steadily during the first power play. They didnt take too many risks are after 10 overs they were 44-1. Then West Indies really did step on the gas as Bravo the younger brother of Dwayne started to play some splendid shots. He was so confident that he hit Kallis first over for 2 fours. Smith was giving him good company and they reached there 100 partnership off 117 balls. DM Bravo was going along really nicely until he played across Botha to one ball and was LBW. The West Indies did go for a referral but it wasnt over turned.
Then there wonder kid Tahir, who only qualified to play for South Africa at the start of this year, got Smith to chip the ball back to him to get a caught and bowled and then got Sarwan out in the next over. Then Bravo senior should have caught when he skied an an easy catch but it was dropped.
Then Dwayne Bravo started to take control of the hitting three legside sixes as he was quickly racing to an 50. Chanderpaul was anchoring the innings along as Bravo was playing his shots until the West Indies ill discipline let them down again as Bravo and Chanderpaul had a mix up between the wickets and Bravo was run out.
It brought out the dangerous big hitting Pollard. He got an big reception as he excited the Indian crowd when he played for Mumbai Indian's at IPL this year. But it was a short stay at the wicket as he was LBWed by Steyn off his first ball. It was originally given not out but Smith referred it and was overturned. Steyn then polished off the rest of the tail as West Indies labored to 222 all out.
West Indies knew they needed early wickets to have a chance of winning this game and they did start off very well as Amla was out to an superbly to an Thomas catch off the bowling of Roach. Then it got even better for the West Indies as Benn, the spinner who opened the bowling, got Kallis out to another super catch by the captain Sammy. The West Indies looked on top as Smith looked really uncomfortable at the crease.
But as the captain struggled on de Villiers (the new batsman) looked really comfortable and really assured and started to play his shots from the word go. It was a really battle for Smith but he hung in there and the 50 partnership was up within 55 balls most of the runs came from the bat of de Villiers. But after getting through through that part of the innings the runs started to come easier for both players as the ball was getting softer. The West Indies were really missing Bravo's bowling as fell in his 3rd over. It seemed like he had twisted his knee. de Villiers got to his 50 in 54 balls, which included 5 fours and a 6, but he didnt look like he was finished. He was assured and never in trouble and was dominating the bowling from the word go.
Soon afterwards Smith and de Villiers had got to there 100 partnership off 132 balls. There it looked like South Africa were closing in on victory but just before they started to pull away Pollard bowled the troubled Smith. He struggled to a 45 which included 2 fours in his innings.
But as De Villiers was playing the aggressive innings all was needed was a anchor role by Duminy and he did just that. With Duminy playing the supporting role the West Indies knew the game was up and went a little flat. As De Villiers was cashing in on a century he was held up by a short rain break, he was on 97 at the time. But when they did come back out De Villiers reached his century and it was the fastest century by an South Africa at a world cup. Then Duminy hit the winnings runs as South Africa eased to victory in the end.
The West Indies play the Netherlands at Delhi next Monday as they look for there first win and for South Africa they move on to also play the Netherlands next Thursday at Mohali.
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