A magnificent 101 off 60 balls from Suresh Raina fired India to a 14-run victory over South Africa on Sunday which booked their place in the Super Eight stage of the Twenty20 World Cup.
Raina’s score is the third highest innings in a Twenty20 international and included nine fours and five sixes as he peppered the ball around the field with superb timing and placement.
The 23-year-old enjoyed a big slice of luck in the fifth over, though, when he was caught off a no-ball from Albie Morkel.
PHOTO: AFP
Yuvraj Singh’s 37 contributed to a key 88-run partnership with Raina, who brought up his ton with a massive six over mid-wicket in the final over before he was caught off the next ball from Morkel.
With Raina in total control, India smashed 75 off the last five overs of the game, including a brutal 25 off the 18th over bowled by Rory Kleinveldt
South Africa found themselves struggling to keep up with the run rate. Jacques Kallis, opening the batting, made a smart 73 off 54 balls but with the tempo too slow, a lot of work was left to the middle order.
PHOTO: AFP
AB de Villiers made a great attempt to snatch victory, hitting three sixes in his 31 off 15 balls before he was caught in the deep.
India won their opening group C match against Afghanistan on Saturday leaving South Africa now needing to beat the tournament’s minnows to make sure of advancing.
In Sunday’s other game Australia made an impressive start to their campaign with Shane Watson hammering 81 from 49 balls in a convincing 34-run victory over defending champions Pakistan.
David Hussey struck 53 from 29 balls, including five sixes, for the Aussies.
Perhaps the most impressive catch of the day was made by an on duty St Lucian policeman in the stands who nonchalantly snaffled an Umar Akmal six, one-handed and without the slightest facial expression as he lobbed the ball back on to the field to roars from the crowd.
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