South Africa snatch last-ball victory
AFP
22 January 1999
JOHANNESBURG, Jan 22 (AFP) - South Africa hammered 111 runs off the
final 13 overs to snatch a last-ball victory by two wickets in the
first limited-overs international against the West Indies at the
Wanderers Stadium on Friday.
Carl Hooper hit an unbeaten 66 off 61 balls as West Indies made 154
for four off 28 overs in a rain-shortened match.
South Africa needed 160 to win off 27 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis
method. They were penalised one over for a slow bowling rate.
The home team were in deep trouble at 49 for four after 14 overs but a
thrilling partnership of 63 off 48 balls between captain Hansie Cronje
and Jonty Rhodes gave them a glimpse of an improbable victory.
Rhodes then swung across the line against Nixon McLean and Cronje was
caught at deep mid-wicket off left-arm spinner Neil McGarrell five
balls later.
Lance Klusener smashed 27 off 14 balls as he and Mark Boucher put on
36 in three overs before Boucher was caught in the gully off McGarrell
off the fifth ball of the last over with one run still needed.
Under the rules, South Africa needed to reach the target or lose.
The field was brought in close but new batsman Pat Symcox squeezed the
ball to square leg and the batsmen raced through for the winning
single.
The triumph continued South Africa's winning sequence after they won
all five matches in a five-Test series against the tourists.
Hooper hit five fours and a six in a polished innings. He shared
stands of 53 with Shivnarine Chanderpaul (45) and an unbroken 62 with
Keith Arthurton (22 not out).
West Indies had been 39 for three after being sent in, with captain
Brian Lara out for a first-ball duck when he slashed Klusener to
backward point where Jonty Rhodes held a diving catch.
The match started 92 minutes late because of rain. It was initially
reduced to 46 overs a side but only three overs were possible, with
West Indies scoring three runs, before rain stopped play until 7.30 pm
(1730 GMT).
The second of the seven matches will be played in East London on
Sunday.
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