West Indies record their highest total against South Africa in ODI cricket

Shai Hope celebration after his century. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Courtesy of a scintillating unbeaten ton by Shai Hope, West Indies registered their highest score in ODI cricket as they aggregated 335 runs in their win against South Africa. The two sides squared off in the second ODI of the ongoing three-match ODI series at Buffalo Park in East London on Saturday, March 18.

Regarding the match, openers Brandon King and Kyle Mayers put up a 67-run partnership to give the Windies a solid head start. Skipper Shai Hope then took the onus of getting the vital runs as he clobbered seven maximums and five boundaries to score an unbeaten century (128 runs) off 115 balls.

Down the middle-order, Nicholas Pooran and explosive hitter Rovman Powell scored 39 and 46 runs to steer the side to attain the mammoth total of 335 runs.

West Indies take lead in ODI series

After the first contest was abandoned without a ball being bowled, the Windies took a 1-0 lead in the second ODI. However, South Africa did not make life easier for the Caribbean side to earn their win as skipper Temba Bavuma slammed a career-best 144 runs during the chase.

Quinton de Kock opened with the skipper and got a quickfire 26-ball 48. However, his stay on the pitch was cut short by Kyle Mayers, who trapped the southpaw for an LBW. Bavuma single-handedly fought hard, slammed 11 boundaries and seven maximums, and got his century off 92 balls.

However, with little to no help from the rest of the unit, Bavuma succumbed under pressure and was dismissed for 144 runs off 118 balls. Meanwhile, Akeal Hosein and Alzarri Joseph got three wickets, whereas Mayers, Yannic Cariah, and Odean Smith got a wicket each to wrap up the contest for 287 runs.

The two sides will lock horns for the third and final ODI on Tuesday, March 21, at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom. While the Windies will aim to clinch the series with another win, the Proteas will look to return on level terms in the final ODI.

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