South Africa whitewash hosts in tense finish
Partly misfortune but mostly indiscipline cost them the fifth and final ODI in Port of Spain to ensure South Africa swept an ODI series 5-0 for the third time against West Indies
Partly misfortune but mostly indiscipline cost them the fifth and final ODI in Port of Spain to ensure South Africa swept an ODI series 5-0 for the third time against West Indies
Another South African white-wash for the Windies. It really is a case of them not knowing how to close out these games. When Boucher got out, they were all over South Africa, primarily because of the visitors' questionable selections for today, but they still let the pressure go with some unimaginative bowling. Barring an inspired final spell from Jerome Taylor, there was nothing worth praising, and him leaving the field with two overs left to bowl, made all the difference. Slower balls and short balls, wide balls and full balls, but no yorkers. Bravo is having a torrid time with the ball, following a really pedestrian IPL. I daresay, despite getting the wicket of Botha with a rank long-hop, Pollard was quite poor in the end overs. Gayle's captaincy was rigid and questionable. Again, the most inspired move of the day was initiated not by him, but by Taylor when he laid a trap for Duminy.
Hang in there for the presentation.
Gayle: "The game came close again, and we fell short again. We don't know how to finish them off. Well played to Smith and his team. Hopefully we get a couple of days to put it behind and start fresh in the Tests. I was frustrated with the death bowling.. I had confidence in Bravo and Pollard. Jerome, unfortunately picked an injury. We need to see what the physio says about it. I think everyone in our side needs to learn from South Africa. Trinidad has passion for the game, great to see the crowd come out and support the game."
Man of the match is Jacques Kallis. "Nice to have the momentum into the Tests, very pleased with the way we played. Our bowling and batting in the last 10 overs can be worked upon. In the Tests, not much grass here, so the spinners may play a bit of a role."
Man of the series, without doubt is Hashim "402 runs" Amla. He has a collection of blackberries now. "It is a lovely gift to get (blackberries). Nice to give the team a good start.. happy that ODI series has come to an end well.. looking forward to Tests. The guys I used to idolise are the ones I saw on tv - Steve Waugh.. Brian Lara.. Jacques Kallis." Ian Bishop does not have much more to ask the guy.
Graeme Smith: "Nice to bounce back and repose the faith in the public after the World T20. We lost wickets at crucial times, and held our nerve.. Winning is a habit and we are getting used to it. Boucher has a bit of a back niggle, and we did not want to strain him ahead of the Tests, (which is why he did not keep). We are going to enjoy tonight, and then start preparing for the Tests."
Scenes of joy for the South African team as they collect their medals. And a sense of what may have been for the hosts. On that note, we shall sign off for the day. It has been great bringing you the ODIs and we hope for more fun with the Tests. Thanks for all the comments. On behalf of Team Cricinfo, this is Nitin Sundar signing off. Cheers!
This is Tsotsobe's first ever innings in ODIs. Welcome to the pressure cooker!
If WI lose this, it will be the apt footnote to a disastrous series.
Puhhlaaaaahd to bowl!
7 off 6. Roelof on strike. 1 wicket in hand.
CK Langeveldt c †Ramdin b DJ Bravo 6 (5b 1x4 0x6) SR: 120.00
Chris Gayle, the West Indies captain, has said his team didn't know how to "finish them off" after losing the fifth ODI to South Africa during a tense finish in Trinidad
Graeme Smith has praised his men for completing a clean sweep against West Indies with their one-wicket win in Trinidad
Partly misfortune but mostly indiscipline cost them the fifth and final ODI in Port of Spain to ensure South Africa swept an ODI series 5-0 for the third time against West Indies