Darren Sammy admits to nerves as West Indies beat South Africa
By Brian Dodds
Last Updated: 25/03/16 8:16pm
A happy Darren Sammy admitted he may have been smiling outwardly but he was all butterflies inside as West Indies teetered before beating South Africa in a last over thriller.
The West Indies attack restricted South Africa to 122-8 after Sammy opted to bowl first on a slow pitch but only with two balls to spare did they chase down the total to win by three wickets.
"I was smiling...but inside there were some butterflies," the captain admitted.
"We came here to win this match to qualify and we have done that so I am very happy."
He added: "We've been getting wickets in the powerplay, and that's been putting pressure on the opposition.
"Today we were under pressure chasing a low total, and every decision we took out there they responded. But I really want to commend my team."
The World Twenty20 Super 10 victory in Nagpur puts undefeated West Indies through to join New Zealand in the semi-finals.
But it means South Africa, who have never lifted the trophy but were one of the pre-tournament favourites, only have two points from three Group One games and look like going out.
"It felt like all game we were just behind West Indies and trying to catch up," said South Africa skipper Faf Du Plessis.
"It was a 135 pitch but it was a great fight by the boys.
"This game makes us all very old very quickly. West Indies were just a little bit better than us today."
South Africa opener Quinton de Kock (47) played a disciplined innings to drag them to a competitive total to defend after they had slumped to 47-5 in the ninth over.
Johnson Charles then hit 32 at the top of the order as West Indies seemed in control of their run chase until leg-spinner Imran Tahir struck twice in consecutive deliveries in his last over to haul South Africa back into the game.
West Indian nerves were jangling when man-of-the-match Marlon Samuels was removed on 44 in the penultimate over but a six from Carlos Brathwaite with four balls left paved the way for the victory.
Second-placed England can reach the semi-finals by beating Sri Lanka on Saturday.
Watch England's crunch clash with Sri Lanka from 1.30pm on Sky Sports 2