Shaun Pollock's farewell tour of South Africa started in triumph when he steered his country to victory in a Twenty20 international against the West Indies at the Wanderers Stadium Friday. Pollock top-scored with 36 not out off 25 balls as South Africa won by four wickets with four balls to spare.
South Africa were outsiders when they slumped to 77 for six in bowler-friendly conditions, still needing 55 to win in 6.1 overs. But man-of-the match Pollock, who has announced he will retire after a five-match one-day series which starts at Centurion Sunday, shared an unbeaten 57-run partnership with Albie Morkel, who made 28 not out.
South Africa still needed 21 off the last two overs but Pollock hit the first two balls of the 19th over from off-spinner Marlon Samuels for six and the target suddenly became easy. The West Indies made 131 for seven after being sent in on a pitch which gave considerable help to the seam bowlers.
Stand-in captain Dwayne Bravo made a hard-hit 24 off 17 overs with two sixes but extras was the biggest contributor to the total with 29, including a remarkable 15 byes.
With the ball swinging and moving prodigiously off the seam, the West Indies were in deep trouble at 79 for six in the 15th over but Bravo's attacking innings and some audacious running for byes when the ball beat the bat enabled the West Indies to make a competitive total.
Rain during the afternoon made it seem unlikely that play would start on time but there was a break in the weather at the time of the toss. It was the second 20-overs international of the tour.
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