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BIRMINGHAM: South Africa Champions began their World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 campaign with a thrilling bowl-out win over West Indies Champions after rain and a nail-biting finish left the match tied at Edgbaston on Saturday.
In a contest reduced to 11 overs per side, AB de Villiers opted to bowl first after winning the toss. West Indies posted 79/5, led by Lendl Simmons’ 28 off 21 balls and a steady unbeaten 27 from wicketkeeper Chadwick Walton.
Aaron Phangiso was the standout performer with the ball, returning figures of 2/19 in his three overs, while Duanne Olivier, JJ Smuts and Hardus Viljoen chipped in with a wicket each.
South Africa’s DLS-adjusted target was set at 81. Despite contributions from Sarel Erwee (27 off 18) and JP Duminy (25* off 12), the Proteas fell one run short, managing 80/6 as Fidel Edwards successfully defended nine runs in the final over.
The tied encounter led to an unusual bowl-out instead of a super over.
Proteas once again won the toss and chose to bowl first in the shootout. However, they missed their first three attempts, with Phangiso, Chris Morris and Viljoen failing to hit the stumps.
JJ Smuts finally broke the deadlock on the fourth attempt, followed by Wayne Parnell, who delivered a perfect yorker to make it two.
West Indies, needing at least two hits to stay alive, couldn’t strike once in their five chances, handing South Africa Champions a 2-0 win in the bowl-out and a dramatic start to their WCL 2025 campaign.
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