South Africa dominated West Indies again in East London as they took an unassailable 3-0 lead in their five-match one-day international series.
Having conceded a mammoth 439 fielding first on Sunday, the Windies won the toss but soon slumped to 52-5. Marlon Samuels top scored with 26 as they were bowled out for 122 in 33.4 overs, spinner Imran Tahir taking 4-28. Hashim Amla (61 not out) and Faf du Plessis (51 not out) sealed a nine-wicket win with 25.2 overs to spare.
It represents another forgettable performance from the Caribbean side with the World Cup less than a month away. The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) is already under fire for omitting experienced all-rounders Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard from the squad, while relieving Bravo of the ODI captaincy – with opener Chris Gayle accusing the WICB of “victimisation”. All-rounder Darren Sammy, another ex-ODI captain who still leads the Twenty20 side, was controversially left out of the side at Buffalo Park, but the batsmen who did play were found wanting. Gayle and opening partner Dwayne Smith both edged paceman Vernon Philander to keeper AB de Villiers with the score in single figures, and several of their successors departed slogging rather than showing any serious application. Only a last-wicket stand of 26 by captain Jason Holder and Sulieman Benn prevented the humiliation of being bowled out for less than 100, although having made 18 from 19 balls, last man Benn was stumped attempting a tail-end heave at leg-spinner Tahir. The result never looked in doubt, although forecast rain eventually arrived shortly after the hosts reached their victory target. But West Indies continued to disappoint as innocuous bowling and lethargic fielding, with catches put down, helped South Africa cruise home with more than half their allocation of overs to spare. The series continues with the penultimate one-dayer at Port Elizabeth on Sunday.
