De Villiers hits form to blitz West Indies

Another awe-inspiring batting display from AB de Villiers helped South Africa to a crushing 257-run World Cup Group B victory against the West Indies in Sydney.
South Africa's AB De Villiers.South Africa's AB De Villiers.
South Africa's AB De Villiers.

De Villiers needed only 31 balls against the West Indies to record the fastest one-day international century in January, and tormented their bowlers once again by smashing an unbeaten 162 from 66 balls to help South Africa to 408-5 from their 50 overs – their highest World Cup score.

The West Indies could only manage 151 all out in reply, with their final eight wickets falling for just 99 runs, as Imran Tahir (5-45) helped South Africa record the joint highest margin of victory, for teams batting first, in World Cup history.

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West Indies batsman Darren Bravo is to miss the remainder of the World Cup with a hamstring injury.

Bravo missed yesterday’s thrashing in Sydney, having injured himself in last week’s win over Pakistan.

A Cricket World Cup tweet read: “Darren Bravo has been ruled out of the World Cup and will be replaced in the West Indies squad.”

Pool B strugglers Pakistan and Zimbabwe both need to win their match this weekend to revive fading hopes of scrambling a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.

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Pakistan are pointless after losing to India and then the West Indies.

There has been little for Zimbabwe to smile about either, save a four-wicket win over UAE.

They have since been blitzed for the first double-century in World Cup history by Chris Gayle.

India coach Duncan Fletcher has left the World Cup to attend his father-in-law’s funeral in Cape Town.

Fletcher is set to miss the world champions’ Pool B clash against United Arab Emirates in Perth today.

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