Debutant Tahir restricts West Indies to 222

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NEW DELHI: Leg-spinner Imran Tahir snared four wickets on debut as South Africa bundled out the West Indies for 222 off 47.3 overs despite a fine 73 by Darren Bravo in a World Cup Group B match on Thursday.

Tahir (4-41) was well supported by off-spinner Johan Botha who opened the attack and gave the Proteas key breakthroughs in the spin-dominated day-night clash at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium.

The duo justified the decision of captain Graeme Smith to field three specialist spinners on a ground which is hosting its first international in a year after being banned for a dangerous playing surface.

Darren Bravo led the West Indies charge with his 82-ball knock while his older half-brother Dwayne chipped in with a 37-ball 40 with three sixes and a four after the Caribbean side were put in to bat.

Bravo also shared 111 runs for the second wicket with opener Devon Smith after the early dismissal of Chris Gayle.

Botha, sharing the new ball with fast bowler Dale Steyn, struck off the third ball of the innings to remove Gayle who tried to play on the leg-side but edged it to first slip where Jacques Kallis took a low catch.

Botha (2-48) struck again in the 24th over, just when Bravo and Smith were threatening to put up a huge partnership.

Bravo tried to flick the bowler but missed the shot and was rightly adjudged leg before wicket. He hit eight fours and a six.

Tahir, 31, picked up his first wicket in one-day internationals in his third over when he caught Smith (36) off his own bowling and celebrated it by kissing the South African badge on his shirt.

The Pakistan-born bowler picked up another wicket in his next over when he had the veteran Ramnaresh Sarwan (two) trapped lbw.

Sarwan asked for a review of the decision but replays showed the ball would have hit the top of the middle stump.

Tahir was unlucky not to collect a third wicket just three balls later, grassing a return catch off Dwayne Bravo despite a spirited attempt.

He was not to be denied for long though, removing Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Devon Thomas with his guile and precision before Steyn (3-24) sent back Kieron Pollard, Darren Sammy and Sulieman Benn in a quick three-wicket burst.

The West Indies opted for just one specialist spinner in Sulieman Benn for the day-night clash.

South Africa, three-time World Cup semi-finalists, have won their last 11 matches against the West Indies, champions in 1975 and 1979.