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Where Were You When Peterson Saved our Bacon?

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Robin Peterson came to South Africa’s rescue in the final over against India to give the Proteas a three wicket win in their group B clash at the ICC Cricket World Cup.

The Nagpur match went down to the wire leaving South Africa with 13 runs in the last over for victory.

Peterson stepped up to the task by blasting 16 runs off the last four balls.

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni opted to give Ashish Nehra that mammoth task of containing the South African tailenders ahead of spinner Harbhajan Singh in the final over.

That decision backfired after Peterson kept his cool and Nehra went for 10 runs in his first two deliveries.

India won the toss and elected to bat. They got off to an incredible start and looked poised to reach at least 350 runs, after opening batsman Sachin Tendulkar (111) and Virender Sehwag (73) presented India with a dream start.

The two batsmen frustrated the South African bowling attack, and Tendulkar went on to record his 48th ODI century.

Faf du Plessis got the much needed break through for the Proteas by bowling Sehwag out.

Gautam Ghambir added another 69 runs to the Indian scorecard.

India’s decline was devastating; from a healthy position of 267/2 they only managed to reach 296/10. Nine Indian wickets fell for a shocking 29 runs in nine overs.

Man of the match Dale Steyn was instrumental in India’s demise, taking five wickets for 50 runs.

Johan Botha, who came in for the injured Imran Tahir, did a splendid job only conceding 39 runs in nine overs. Botha assisted in slowing down the Indian run rate from 8.5 to 6.7.

Other contributions to South Africa’s win came from some sensible and solid batting from the top.

Hashim Amla (61) and Jacques Kallis (69) put on an 86-run partnership following the dismissal of skipper Graeme Smith for 16 runs.

AB de Villiers impressive yet again, put on another half century t bolster the South African innings at a crucial stage. Alma had to come back onto the field to serve as a runner for De Villiers.

The Proteas will take on Ireland at Kolkata next Tuesday and Bangladesh at Dhaka the following Saturday. – Kemantha Govender, BuaNews

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.