McLaren shines as SA win thriller

McLaren fired in a low full toss very wide of off-stump on Thursday as West Indies, chasing a modest victory target of 121, required three from the final delivery of the match. But he conceded just one run, after point fielder Jean-Paul Duminy swooped on the ball when West Indies tail-ender Jerome Taylor essayed a slog.

“It was a bit tense at the end, so we had to find somebody to remain calm, and Ryan kept a good sensible head, although we had a few guys running all over the place. But it was an exciting finish, and nice again to get over the line,” South Africa captain Graeme Smith said.

SCORE BOARD

SOUTH AFRICA

Smith b Taylor    15
Bosman c Fletcher b Taylor    0
De Villiers c Bravo b Sammy    19
Duminy c Fletcher b Sammy    13
Petersen lbw Benn    8
Miller (run out)    33
Botha c Sarwan b Taylor    23
McLaren (not out)    2
Extras: (B-1, LB-4, W-2)    7
Total (for 7 wkts, 20 overs)    120
Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-27, 3-42, 4-57, 5-59, 6-116, 7-120.
Bowling: Roach 4-0-24-0, Taylor 4-1-15-3, Benn 3-0-26-1, Bravo 4-0-20-0, Sammy 4-0-16-2, Pollard 1-0-14-0.

WEST INDIES

Gayle lbw Steyn    0
Fletcher c De Villiers b Morkel    4
Bravo c Botha b Morkel    40
C’paul c De Villiers b Botha    29
Pollard c Steyn b Botha    12
Sarwan c McLaren b Botha    6
Sammy (not out)    12
Deonarine (run out)    3
Taylor (not out)    1
Extras: (B-5, LB-2, W-5)    12
Total: (for 7 wkts, 20 overs)    119
Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-9, 3-77, 4-87, 5-97, 6-99, 7-118. Bowling: Steyn 4-0-18-1, Tsotsobe 4-0-28-0, Morkel 4-0-15-2, Botha 4-0-22-3, McLaren 4-0-29-0.