PORT ELIZABETH. – Following their first win of the series over South Africa in the fourth one-day international at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth yesterday, West Indies captain Jason Holder says his side have managed to restore some honour.

“We were all about salvaging pride from the series, we were always up for it,” said Holder.

A blistering knock of 64 runs from 40 balls by Andre Russell helped the West Indies chase down a victory target of 263 with one wicket left and nine balls to spare in their innings. The West Indies had come under criticism after skipping a training session on Friday, but Holder said their approach had always been positive.

“The attitudes were really good and I thought we played a really good game of cricket.”

While Russell was in the middle, Holder had faith in his heavy-hitting allrounder.

“I was worried when it was down to the last pair, but knowing the expertise of my finisher Russell I was quite hopeful, and he pulled it off for us today.”

South Africa were without the services of Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Imran Tahir as the key players were rested for the match, after the series had been clinched in the previous encounter.

Proteas captain AB de Villiers maintained it was the phenomenal innings of Russell in addition to the knocks of Darren Sammy (51) and Marlon Samuels (68) that sealed the result.

“As good as our frontline bowlers are, I don’t think it would’ve been very different today,” said De Villiers.

“It was a couple exceptional knocks from Sammy and Russell towards the end. Those were two knocks that took it away from us today.”

With the West Indies 166 for six when Russell marched to the wicket, De Villiers was still wary of the batting line-up of the tourists.

“They bat low down, and are always dangerous. I never thought they were out of the game. I did think we had it under control and might just sneak it through at the end,” said De Villiers.

Russell struck five fours and five sixes during his match-winning performance.

The sixth-wicket partnership of 93 from 96 balls between Samuels and Sammy kept the West Indies in the contest after a poor start with the bat. – SAPA.

 

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