S Afric’s 2nd win in Super Eights, beat W Indies

LONDON: South Africa defeated the West Indies by 20 runs in a high scoring match in the World Twenty20 Super Eights match here at The Oval on Saturday.

Chasing an improbable target of 184 runs, the West Indies went on to accept the challenge but soon they lost two quick wickets for only 13 runs on the board.

However, Lendl Simmons batted more aggressively to smash 77 off just 50 balls with 12 fours and one six. But no other batsmen except two could enter into double figures. The two batsmen were Dwayne Bravo (19) and Sulieman Benn (13 not out).

Wayne Parnell bowled excellently well to capture four wickets for only 13 runs from his four overs as the West Indies could make 163 for nine 20 overs were completed.

Earlier, Herschelle Gibbs's 55 was the cornerstone of South Africa's 183 for seven against the West Indies in their World Twenty20 Super Eights match at the Oval here on Saturday.

South Africa, unbeaten at the tournament so far, were on course for a huge total while Jacques Kallis (45) and Gibbs were at the crease.

But they lost five wickets for 34 runs in 25 balls to give the West Indies hope of chasing down their score on a good batting pitch and fast outfield.

Fast bowler Jerome Taylor, whose second over cost 16 runs, fought back well to finish with three wickets for 30 runs in his maximum four overs.

West Indies, who'd beaten defending champions India by seven wickets in Friday's late game at Lord's, saw their seamers suffer early on

But spin, as it has so often done at this tournament, yielded a wicket.

Left-armer Sulieman Benn troubled Graeme Smith before the South Africa captain steered him straight to Andre Fletcher at point. Smith's 31 came off 18 balls with six fours.

Another fifty stand, between Kallis and Gibbs kept the runs coming briskly before Kallis holed out off medium-pacer Lendl Simmons to Kieron Pollard for a 31-ball 45.

Gibbs pressed on, hoisting Simmons for a huge six over wide long-on. But soon after completing a 33-ball fifty, featuring that six and seven fours, Gibbs exited when he chipped Pollard to Taylor at mid-on.

That left South Africa 136 for three in the 15th over but the West Indies' revival saw them fall short of 200.