Insanity as WI procure defeat

Insanity grabbed hold of the West Indian lower order at the Kensington Oval, as Charl Langeveldt was granted a hat-trick in a stunning display of brainless strokeplay. In the final over of a fascinating run-chase, Langeveldt dismissed Ian Bradshaw (1), Daren Powell (0) and Corey Collymore (0) off successive deliveries to seal a 1-run win.

Needing just 4 runs off the final 6 balls, singles were scored off the first 2. With the equation then down to 2 off 4, the madness set in. A wild a swipe by Ian Bradshaw resulted in his stumps being knocked back, a shot matched in tactlessness by Daren Powell to the very next ball.

In a more pronounced ridiculous manner, Powell swung over a full delivery to leave Corey Collymore on strike with 2 runs required off 2 balls. Certainly the least of the blamed, Collymore found himself adjudged to be struck in front first up, and the game and series was sealed for South Africa.

The devastating collapse in the final over completely undermined the earlier brilliance of Chris Gayle. Displaying true maturity, grit and common sense, Gayle batted for his tenth One Day International hundred, eventually dismissed at the death for 132. He faced 152 balls, hitting 7 fours and 2 sixes.

Even as he perished, well-caught by Pollock off Nel’s bowling, the West Indies were in control, needing just 27 runs off 26 balls. Dwayne Bravo settled himself to play a clutch role and was left stranded unbeaten on 21 when Langeveldt did his trick.

Earlier innings of 32 and 23 from Lara and Chanderpaul respectively helped inch toward the target of 284, but unnecessary shots stirred the demise of each. Lara was caught in the deep in the 28th over, whilst Chanderpaul was caught at short fine leg attempting to force the pace in the 40th, even as the required run rate had already been matched off the first 4 balls of the over.

Earlier South Africa experienced their own form of madness when they were inserted to bat first. The tourists collapsed from a mighty position of 222/1 after the 40th over, to be restricted only to 284/6.

Boeta Dippenaar was yet again the batting star, scoring a fantastic 123. He was ultimately caught at longoff off Bradshaw, having been dropped twice in previous over from the same bowler. The opener faced 129 balls for his runs, and struck 12 fours in the effort.

Supporting Dippenaar was Jacques Kallis, who scored 87, pacing his innings nicely with just 2 fours and 2 sixes. Kallis received massive fortune early in his stint, however. Entering at the dismissal of Graeme Smith (28) to a great catch by Dwayne Smith off Bradshaw, Kallis apparently edged his fourth delivery to wicketkeeper Browne, before he had scored. Rather than positively affirm a confident West Indian shout, umpire Harper declared “not out”.

With a life to his name, Kallis proceeded to open up and smack Bradshaw over extra cover for six. A partnership of 194 materialized for the second wicket – a record for the wicket on the ground and for South Africa against the West Indies – until a late innings slide endured 5 wickets tumbling for 29 runs.

Having limited South Africa to far less than seemed initially likely, the West Indies set out to bat their way back into the series. Gayle and Xavier Marshall added 48 for the first wicket, then the latter was caught behind off Ntini. A run later, Sarwan played on to his stumps for a first-ball duck.

Under sudden pressure, consolidation came from Gayle and Lara. The two batted calmly and ticked along at over 4 per over. Looking to accelerate, Lara struck consecutive boundaries off Langeveldt, then, continuing the trend of ill-timed dismissals, lofted the next delivery directly to Nel at longoff.

Chanderpaul played well alongside Gayle and the two looked to be taking the West Indies to victory, when the captain perished to an error of judgement. Suddenly the pressure was on the young guard of the lineup. Dwayne Smith belted 21 off 16 balls, then played over a full Nel delivery, and Bravo made his way to the middle.

When Gayle was out, Browne joined Bravo and the game plan was clear and the execution calm. The two reduced the target to 4 off 6 and victory seemed very much imminent. Still not content with their comfort, the West Indies pushed themselves back once more – Browne (9) caught by Nel off the leading edge to Ntini.

Ian Bradshaw took his guard and the chaos stood moments away. Langeveldt’s hat-trick left him with a career-best 5 wickets for 62 runs and an expected Man of the Match award.

South Africa now leads the series 3-0 with two games to go.

Score Summary:

South Africa innings 284/6 (50 overs)
HH Dippenaar 123 (129), JH Kallis 87 (109)
IDR Bradshaw 2/51 (10), DJJ Bravo 2/51 (9)

West Indies innings 283 ao (49.5 overs)
CH Gayle 132 (152), BC Lara 32 (42)
CK Langeveldt 5/62 (9.5), A Nel 3/42 (10), M Ntini 2/45 (10)

Result: South Africa won by 1 run
Series: South Africa leads 3-0 (5)
Man of the Match: CK Langeveldt (SA)