The big scores, both individually and collectively, continued at the ODI World Cup in Sydney today, as South Africa regained their form to thrash the West Indies by a massive 257 runs. The match already seemed likely to be beyond the Caribbean side after South Africa had posted 408-5, the second highest ever at the World Cup, but they were unable to mount anything like a challenge as they collapsed to a disappointing 151 all out in reply. AB de Villiers showed his undoubted class and ability, with a sparkling 162 not out for the Proteas during their mammoth innings.
No-one was quite sure what to expect when these two sides faced each other, given their respective last outings in the tournament. After a solid enough start by South Africa to defeat Zimbabwe in their first match, they came undone against the Indians to fall to a heavy reversal. By contrast, the West Indies had triumphed in their last two Pool B fixtures, with Chris Gayle looking to be back in the runs. They did have the unsightly 'blip' against their name from the opening defeat to the Irish though, so were by no means unbeatable.
South Africa controlled the match for much of its duration, electing to bat first and set their opponents a large total to chase. Their 408-5 in 50 overs was dominated by the middle-order scoring from de Villiers, who rattled up his 150 in just 64 deliveries faced, taking the one-day record for fastest 150 comfortably away from Shane Watson of Australia.
By the close he was still there unbeaten on 162 off 66 balls, as his teammates also chipped in consistently with scores of their own. Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis and Rilee Rossouw also contributed with scores in the 60s. The Windies' captain Jason Holder proved particularly expensive with the ball, leaking 104 runs from his ten overs, although none of his compatriots avoided the wrath of de Villiers, during his onslaught.
In reply, only opener Dwayne Smith mustered any real defiance of the West Indies top order, as Holder at least partially atoned while batting at number nine, although his top score for them of 56 was too little too late to avoid a huge defeat. At 63-7 there was no way back for them into the match, although they did put on 42 runs for the ninth wicket to add a modicum of respectability to their final score. Imran Tahir returned pleasing bowling figures for the victors with 5-45, as the West Indies' defeat matched the heaviest (in terms of runs) in World Cups.