At The Oval, June 13. South Africa won by 20 runs. South Africa 2 pts. Toss: West Indies.
Admirable full-length fast left-arm bowling by Wayne Parnell was the main difference
between the sides, plus the fact that West Indies had played the evening before and
Dwayne Bravo was drained by the effort of beating India. Gayle, having questionably
decided to chase, clipped Parnell to midwicket after Fletcher had missed a wild swing, and only Simmons - kicking on from the previous evening with 77 from 50 balls - kept West
Indies in the game. Conventional swing having been missing from the tournament, Parnell
swung it enough on a warm afternoon and a belter of a pitch with a glassy outfield. Earlier,
South Africa's opening pair began with powerful driving, even though they hit in orthodox
areas, and Gibbs struck 55 from 35 balls. A two-wicket over from Taylor stopped South
Africa reaching much more than par on the highest scoring of the three grounds. But West
Indies lacked a full-length opening and death bowler like Parnell.
Man of the Match: W. D. Parnell. Attendance: 20,226.