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Cricket World Cup: AB de Villiers’ fastest tourney century, South Africa win big and some extraordinary catches

Cricket World Cup: AB de Villiers’ fastest tourney century, South Africa win big and some extraordinary catches

Before the start of the Cricket World Cup, South Africa demolished the West Indies on home soil in a one-day series 4-1. Records were broken. Proteas skipper AB de Villiers went ballistic and smashed a 31-ball century, the fastest in history. So Friday’s World Cup fixture looked like a given until Chris Gayle and the West Indies turned their form around after Gayle created some records of his own against Zimbabwe, scoring an historic 215 from 147 balls.

The West Indies went into this game with a 2-1 World Cup record while South Africa were 1-1, including that big 130-run loss against India. Current form suggested this was going to be an arm wrestle. Here are eight random thoughts on an eventful match. 

 

1. South Africa Are Baaaaack

South Africa went from woeful against India to unbeatable against the West Indies. Consider it a warning to the other teams: they have found their venom. Forget that India loss. This was epic. They looked like a different team against the West Indies and from here on in, write them off at your peril. They still have some work to do, but, it’s clear that they are one of four teams that can win this World Cup. Friday’s win puts them into third favourite, behind New Zealand and Australia.

 

 

2. Records and numbers: an endless stream

There are lots of lovely numbers to gloss over from the game that have left statisticians everywhere drooling. Here are four records you’ll enjoy.

1. South Africa were 3-146 from 30 overs (180 balls); they then scorched 222 runs from the last 15 overs (90 balls). This was the second most runs scored in the final 15 (the first is also held by South Africa against West Indies with 230 in January this year.)

2. AB de Villiers scored the fastest 150 in one-day history, reaching that in 64 balls; he also scored the quickest century on Australian soil in 52 balls.

3. The 257-run winning margin was the biggest in World Cup history.

4. When de Villiers and Farhaan Behardien got together they scored at 24 runs per over (six balls): 80 runs off 20 balls. This was the best run-rate for 50 and over in one day history.

For more record glossing, head here.

3. Is AB de Villiers the best batsmen in the world?

The top four teams at this World Cup all have outstanding batsmen. Australia has Steve Smith, David Warner and Aaron Finch; for South Africa they boast Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers; India has Virat Kohli and New Zealand Brendon McCullum. From that pile, AB de Villiers would have to be rated the best in the world at the moment based on his current form and ability to take the game away from the opposing team. Yesterday South Africa were meandering along for half the game and then de Villiers flicked the switch and went bang. Kohli is probably the other contender for world's best right now.

 

 

4. How good were these outfield catches?

The game will be best known for the numerous records broken, but adding more fascination to the contest were two phenomenal catches by Jerome Taylor from the West Indies and David Miller from South Africa. 

The first took place during the South African innings. David Miller skied a ball into the deep on the leg side. It looked like it was going for a six but Jerome Taylor spoiled the party with an outstanding one-hand grab, making baseballers around North America envious (note: no glove.)

 The Jerome Taylor "one-hander"

 

The second catch was claimed by South African David Miller from the bowling of Imran Tahir (who took 5-45). The ball was sent deep and low and Miller, running side on and towards it at full tilt, leaped into the air with two hands and completing what was a spectacular catch – or a ‘mark’ in Australian Rules Football lingo.

 

The David Miller Aussie Rules style "mark" or as they call it "Speccy". 

 

 5. Turning point in the match: 25-year old Rilee Rossouw

South Africa lost Hashim Amla and Faff du Plessis in on Chris Gayle over which put the Proteas in rebuilding mode. Enter Rilee Rossouw. After picking off singles and getting his eye in, the kid exploded hitting fours and sixes which then inspired AB de Villiers to do the same. It was the spark they needed. From that point on, South Africa never looked like losing the game.

 6. Gayle comes crashing down from his 215-run high

After a monstrous double century a few nights a ago, Gayle was brought back down to earth with a lowly 3 (4) when he was bowled by Kyle Abbott trying to send the ball onto the moon. He was only around for six minutes. Not even long enough to hit a six or a four.

7. Where this leaves the West Indies?

The West Indies are now 2-2 with losses against Ireland and South Africa; wins against Zimbabwe and Pakistan. They should make it to the knockout rounds but don’t expect too much from there. If you are relying on one player to get in his zone each match – i.e. Gayle - then you can expect to lose more than you win. Gayle is an occasional superstar but not a miracle worker. The West Indies will need a million miracles to happen if they are to win this World Cup.

 8. Are South Africa favourites again to win the World Cup?

A 257-run win certainly makes a case for favouritism. One thing to consider is that they flogged the West Indies earlier this year on home soil, so it’s possible the boys from the Caribbean were bringing in some mental scars. South Africa are now 2-2 and really, all that matters is that they qualify for the knockout games where the real stuff begins. Right now, they have the tools to beat anyone. They have a quality top six, quick and leg spin options with the ball. My two concerns: they lack a quality all-rounder; and if their plan A doesn’t work, they have no plan B (refer: the India loss).