Imran Tahir has written his name in the record books as South Africa completed a comprehensive 139-run victory over the West Indies in the sixth match of the Tri-Nation One-Day International series at Warner Park in St Kitts.
Defending a formidable total of 4 for 343, the leg-spinner feasted on an inept Caribbean batting effort with outstanding figures of 7 for 45 off nine overs, the best-ever returns by a South African bowler in the history of ODI cricket.
Along the way, Tahir, in his 58th match, surpassed the record of Morne Morkel as the fastest South African to 100 ODI wickets in terms of matches played.
“I’m really grateful for how things worked out for me today,” said a delighted Tahir.
“It was a fantastic effort by the entire team and I’m just delighted to have played a part.”
Earlier, Hashim Amla’s 23rd ODI hundred highlighted a domineering batting effort from the Proteas after they were put in by home captain Jason Holder.
Tahir and Tabraiz Shami (2 for 41) then extinguished the West Indian reply after a bright opening start, Tahir’s record harvest including three in one over as the hosts were dismissed for 204 off 38 overs.
Tahir and Shamsi, in just his second match, effected the breakthrough after the rousing start of 69 in less than 10 overs by openers Johnson Charles (49) and Andre Fletcher (21).
Only 24 from Marlon Samuels among the accomplished batsmen represented any form of resistance to the spinners.
By virtue of the margin of their victory, AB de Villiers’ team moves to the top of the standings on ten points, one ahead of Australia and two more than the West Indies.
Competition shifts to Barbados for the final three preliminary matches, beginning with South Africa versus Australia on June 19 at Kensington Oval, ahead of the final at the same venue a week later.
