South Africa Win First T20 vs WI

In a somewhat obscure Twenty20 International – at the somewhat obscure Sir Vivian Richards Stadium Antigua – South Africa beat the West Indies by 13 runs. With some weather around the West Indies elected to field first on winning the toss. South Africa put on 136 for 7 and defended the modest total with ease.

You will remember that this is the large and modern stadium that was built out of town for the 2007 World Cup. Its creation made redundant the charming old Antigua Recreation Ground, where Brian Lara twice set the record for the highest individual score in a Test innings. Apart from its out-of-the-way location, other problems associated with the ground are that it always looks empty as it can hold half of the island’s population and that the outfield has, until now, been a sandpit.

In February last year the outfield was ruled unfit for play and a Test match against England was shifted to the old Rec. Most locals wish the Rec had been upgraded instead of the Sir Viv built. Even Richards himself made it known he was unpleased that the ground took his name. Since then the outfield has been re-laid and it is no longer a sandpit. And if you can bring yourself to get over the death of the marvellous old Rec, Sir Viv’s is a pleasant ground at which to watch a match.

But unfortunately the groundsmen, who must have worked so tirelessly make the outfield lush with grass that is rooted in soil, have failed in their duty to prepare a good wicket. The ball misbehaved, keeping low some balls and taking off on others and the result was a substandard cricket match. Both teams looked poor but the 63-run partnership (45 balls) between Graeme Smith (37, 31b, 3×4, 1×6) and Jacques Kallis (53, 45b, 1×4, 3×6) gave the visitors the edge. No other batsman contributed for South Africa.

The television commentators murmured that the pitch was so poor that 120 would be a good score and they were proved about right. Most of the West Indians bowling figures look impressive but there was little batting or bowling worthy of mention. The West Indies’ innings wasn’t much different. Some batsmen chipped in and Ryan McLaren (5/19 in four overs) and Johan Botha (2/19 in four overs) delivered handsome figures, but really the West Indian batting was awful. McLaren was awarded the Man of the Match Award after becoming the fourth man ever to take five wickets in a T20I.

The level of fielding was poor by both sides, the crowd got little value for their money – except for the circus kind of entertainment that is associated with such poor matches – and the sun never once shone on the island. Loots Bosman walked when he was caught down leg even though a wide had been signalled by the umpire. Smith walked when he thought he was stumped, even though television replays showed he was not out. And a host of wides, bizarre run-outs and other nonsense offered some light entertainment. Let’s hope for a better match tomorrow.

Otis Gibson (West Indies coach)

“From start to finish it was a bizarre game – to be honest it was a very poor standard of cricket all round.”

“We did reasonably well in the T20, winning three games out of five, but an average performance like today is very disappointing. At best we played school-boy cricket.”

“The outfield is very nice. Well done to the groundsmen for fixing it. But the wicket for T20 wasn’t good – it had inconsistent bounce.”

“We are committing suicide with the bat… we have some of the best batsmen in the Caribbean but we can’t put together a partnership. I am very frustrated. You have to take wickets and score runs and nobody‘s doing that. Too much depends on whether Chris (Gayle) performs.”

Graeme Smith (SA Captain)

“I think we did well batting first because it was a difficult wicket to set a total on.”

“It was a concern that we lost six wickets for 11 runs but in the need we only fell 12 runs short of where we wanted to be.”

“Take it as a start – training preparation wasn’t ideal and hope I can continue some form into the ODI series.”

“A win is a win and both teams are searching for confidence after poor T20 campaigns, so we must build on this performance so that the confidence comes back”

“Ryan’s bowling today was important for us.”