De Villiers shows stomach for record-breaking show

SYDNEY: South Africa captain A.B. de Villiers was laid low by illness which gave him a sleepless night before he found the perfect cure by hitting a breathtaking 162 not out in Friday’s 257-run World Cup rout of the West Indies.

De Villiers made his runs off just 66 balls as South Africa raced to the second-highest World Cup total of 408 for five.

“I had some stomach problems last night, I didn’t eat much and had a very rough night. But the doctor gave me an injection and I was on my way,” said de Villiers.

South Africa moved into second place in pool ‘B’ behind India on run-rate while West Indies are fourth, also on four points but behind Ireland after their net run-rate took a battering at the SCG.

De Villiers, who also pummelled the Windies with the fastest one-day century off 31 balls in Johannesburg in January, praised the fighting spirit of his team for the way they bounced back from their abject display against defending champions India. “I had a nice chat to the guys before this game and I really felt they were motivated to play some good cricket,” de Villiers said. “It’s great to see the team like that, hustling around and ready to fight.

It’s a great turnaround after the disappointing loss at the MCG (to India).”

De Villiers paid tribute to Rilee Rossouw (61), one of three changes in the Proteas side, for kick-starting his stunning knock. “It is about assessing the situation of the game constantly,” he said. “Rilee played a big part today in getting me off my feet. I didn’t feel too well when I was walking out to bat, I felt really flat.

“He had a lot of energy about him, a lot of intensity, he was getting into really good positions, making the wicket look flat. We were getting a lot of momentum behind us at a really quick pace and that helped us a lot.—AFP

Darren Bravo out of World Cup

SYDNEY: West Indies batsman Darren Bravo was ruled out of the rest of the World Cup on Friday after failing to recover from a hamstring injury, the squad’s players’ association said.

“Darren Bravo has been ruled out of the World Cup and will be replaced in the West Indies squad. Get well soon @DMBravo46#cwc15,” tweeted the West Indies Players Association (WIPA).

Bravo suffered a left hamstring injury in the 150-run win over Pakistan in Christchurch last weekend and missed Friday’s 257-run defeat by South Africa at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The 26-year-old Trinidadian made 49 against Pakistan before he was forced to retire hurt.

He had also been left dazed when a powerful throw from Younis Khan hit him on the side of the helmet as he scrambled through for a single.

To complete his miserable day, he was later reprimanded by the International Cricket Council for swearing.—AFP

Scotland fined for slow over-rate

DUNEDIN: Scotland’s misery over their one-wicket loss to Afghanistan at the World Cup was compounded on Friday when they were fined for a slow over rate, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced.

Match referee David Boon imposed the fine after Preston Mommsen’s side were ruled to be one over short of their target in Thursday’s match at Dunedin’s University Oval.

Mommsen was fined 20 per cent of his match fee, while his players received 10 per cent fines.

If the Scotland captain is found guilty of one more minor over-rate offence during the World Cup, he will receive a one-match suspension.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2015

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