Hashim Amla led a solid Proteas performance in their warm-up match against a West Indies President’s XI ahead of the tri-nations series starting 3 June.
The weather, though, played its part, washing out the match when the West Indies XI were tied on the Duckworth-Lewis method, on 127 from 24.1 overs, after South Africa had run up 280-9 off their 50 overs. As seven bowlers were given a run-out, the President’s XI reached 127-3 on the back of a 71 from Trinidad and Tobago left-hander Evin Lewis, who hammered 71 off 61 balls (6×4, 4×6).
Amla, recently exercised by his stint in the IPL, found early form, stroking 10 fours and a six in his top score of 91 off 83, followed by solid starts by Farhaan Behardien (36), Chris Morris (31), Kyle Abbott (43) and Aaron Phangiso (34no).
Abbott and Kagiso Rabada bowled particularly tightly, taking 1-11 off four and 1-13 off five, respectively. JP Duminy (0-21 off two), Imran Tahir (1-15 off four ) and Aaron Phangiso (0-8 off 2.1) were the preferred spinners, leaving Tabraiz Shamsi on the sidelines
In the absence of AB de Villiers, who was involved in the IPL final on Sunday, and Quinton de Kock, who arrives in the West Indies Monday, the Proteas borrowed West Indian Steven Katwaroo to keep wicket.
The Proteas open their campaign against the West Indies on 3 June, followed by Australia on 7 June, both in Guyana.
Proteas ODI squad: AB de Villiers (Titans, capt), Kyle Abbott (Warriors), Hashim Amla (Cape Cobras), Farhaan Behardien (Titans), Quinton de Kock (Titans), JP Duminy (Cape Cobras), Faf du Plessis (Titans), Imran Tahir (Dolphins), Morne Morkel (Titans), Chris Morris (Titans), Wayne Parnell (Cape Cobras), Aaron Phangiso (Highveld Lions), Kagiso Rabada (Highveld Lions), Rilee Rossouw (Knights), Tabraiz Shamsi (Titans).
Fixtures (all start 19.00 SA time):
June, 3: West Indies vs South Africa (Guyana); 5: West Indies vs Australia (Guyana); 7: Australia vs South Africa (Guyana); 11: South Africa vs Australia (St Kitts); 13: West Indies vs Australia (St Kitts); 15: West Indies vs South Africa (St Kitts); 19: Australia vs South Africa (Barbados); 21: West Indies vs Australia (Barbados); 24: West Indies vs South Africa (Barbados); 26: The Final (Barbados).
Photo: Backpagepix
