Lewis sparkles amidst rain in tied contest
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — Dashing lefthander Evin Lewis stroked an entertaining unbeaten half-century to set up an interesting, finish, but rain proved the spoiler by forcing a tie under Duckworth/ Lewis in the day/night one-day game between the WICB President’s XI and South Africa here Sunday night.
Man of the Match Hashim Amla stroked 92 to propel the tourists up to 280 for nine, after they won the toss and opted to bat first at Queen’s Park Oval.
But opener Lewis answered with an authoritative 71 off 61 deliveries, and the President’s XI were 127 for three at the start of the 25th over when the rains arrived to end the contest prematurely, with both teams level on Duckworth/Lewis.
The game is the only warm-up one for the Proteas before the start of the Tri-Nations Series in Guyana on Friday, and several players grabbed the opportunity to spend time in the middle.
Kyle Abbott chimed in with 43 from 38 balls, Farhaan Behardien scored 36, Aaron Phangiso hit 34 not out, while Chris Morris got 31.
Opener Rilee Roussouw (0) and captain JP Duminy (6) were not among these as both fell cheaply to leave South Africa on 20 for two in the sixth over.
The right-handed Amla revived the innings in a 106-run, third-wicket stand with Behardien, striking 10 fours and a six in an 83-ball knock.
He was eventually lbw to leg-spinner Damion Jacobs in the 29th over, during a period when South Africa lost three wickets for 25 runs to slip to 151 for five in the 31st over.
Morris then added 47 for the sixth wicket with Trinidadian Stephen Katwaroo (21), who turned out for the Proteas before Abbott and Phangiso put on 69 for the eighth wicket.
In reply, the President’s XI lost captain Kraigg Brathwaite (9) and Test teammate Jermaine Blackwood (7) cheaply, before Lewis and Shimron Hetmyer combined in an exciting 90-run partnership for the third wicket.
Lewis hammered six fours and four sixes while Hetmyer, the successful Under-19 West Indies captain, stroked 29 from 45 balls with four fours.
With the rain on its way, Hetmyer was bowled by leg-spinner Imran Tahir in the 24th over.
The Tri-Nations Series, which also involves Australia, runs from June 3-26 in Guyana, St Kitts and Barbados.
