Russell is over the moon after leading the West Indies to victory
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell smashed an unbeaten 64 to lead his side to a stunning one-wicket win over South Africa in the fourth ODI in Port Elizabeth.
Russell was well supported by all-rounders Marlon Samuels and Darren Sammy, who made 68 and 51 respectively.
However, South Africa batsman David Miller deserves a lot of credit for his valiant knock of 130.
West Indies captain Jason Holder would have been pleased with his decision to bowl first since South Africa’s top four batsmen were back in the pavilion with only 76 runs on the board.
Miller and Jean Paul (JP) Duminy stemmed the bleeding with a 90-run partnership, during which Miller brought up his half-century, before Duminy was caught and bowled by Sammy for 43.
Farhaan Behardien only made 12 runs before he was clean bowled by Holder.
Miller and Wayne Parnell stabilised the innings with a 63-run partnership, during which Miller registered his maiden ODI century, before Parnell was cleaned up by Holder for 12 runs.
Holder struck again the very next ball when Aaron Phangiso was caught by Leon Johnson at short leg for a golden duck.
Thanks to Miller’s career-best knock of 130, which came off 133 balls and included 11 boundaries and three sixes, South Africa finished on 262/8 off their 50 overs.
Miller celebrates after scoring his maiden ODI century
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Holder was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets, while debutant Sheldon Cottrell snapped up two and Russell and Sammy chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Chasing 263 to win, the West Indies got off to a terrible start as they were reduced to 73/5 in the 21st over.
Samuels and Sammy steadied the innings with a 93-run partnership, during which both batsmen recorded their half-centuries, before Sammy was caught by South Africa skipper AB de Villiers at cover off the bowling of Parnell.
Sammy’s excellent knock of 51 came off 52 balls and included five boundaries and two sixes.
Samuels went on to score 68 off 93 deliveries, which included five boundaries and two sixes, before he was clean bowled by Behardien.
Samuels hit five boundaries and two sixes during his knock of 68
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Holder made 13 runs before he was caught by Miller at midwicket off the bowling of Duminy.
Carlos Brathwaite mustered 11 runs before he was run out by de Villiers.
From this point on, it was all Russell as he launched five boundaries and five sixes during his unbeaten knock of 64 to lead the West Indies to victory with nine balls to spare.
Behardien and Duminy took two wickets apiece, while Parnell and Morne Morkel claimed one wicket each.
De Villiers was still stunned by what had happened, and said: “It was a good game of cricket. It really hurts to lose. I can’t fault the fight we showed. We had some good moments and not so good movements. Andre played exceptionally well. We got tested and it’s nice to lose. Great knock by David Miller – great signs for the World Cup. But we bowled some bad balls at the wrong time. We played [well] most of the time but a dropped catch from me and some poor balls gave it away. 22 extras is not nice to know, it’s free runs. Sometimes you can try too hard. We showed fighting spirit but a few bad moments gave it away. I’m going to rest for the last game but the lads can take more confidence with a good showing in the last game.”
Holder was ecstatic to have won the match, and said: “It means a lot. W’ve had a tough tour so to get across the line in this game is very special. It was well set up with Darren and Marlon and then Andre was exceptional. The bowlers did an outstanding job with wickets with the new ball and then pressure in the middle overs. I was nervous towards the end but I’m so pleased we got over the line. 262 I would have taken at the start and I’m delighted we got home.”
Russell was named Man of the Match for his match-winning knock of 64.