Decades Tournament - 2010s Rest of the World v 2010s South Africa

 

After their severe mauling by India, Rest of the World 2010s recovered to secure an honourable draw with South Africa in Mirpur. 

The difference between the 2 matches was arguably the quality of spin ROW faced on both occasions. McCullum won the toss and chose to bat on a decent batting pitch. ROW were 107-1 at lunch and there were significant 1st day contributions from Karunaratne (62), Tamim (50) and Younis Khan (78). There were 3 hilarious run outs in ROW's 299, plus 5 catches for South Africa keeper de Kock. 

In reply, du Plessis (62) and Markram (73) added 134 for the 3rd wicket before both were out with the score 141 to Mehedi and Roach respectively. Philander hit a breezy 99 as South Africa were all out on day 3 for 324, a lead of 25. Kemar Roach was very impressive in his tireless 5-60. 

Signs that the pitch was not detiorating as expected were there on day 4, as ROW made 336-6 (Azhar 85, Tamim 66). McCullum declared at 383-7 on the 5th morning,  having fallen 5 short of a deserved hundred. 

South Africa however showed no inclination in chasing their target of 359 and the Test petered out to a draw. This was not a match for bowlers but Roach constantly caught the eye, looking a cut above, and was MOM.

Rest of the World 2010s: FDM Karunaratne, Azhar Ali, Tamim Iqbal, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, BB McCullum (wk) (c), JO Holder, HMRKB Herath, Mehedi Hasan, TG Southee, KAJ Roach

South Africa 2010s: HM Amla, AK Markram, D Elgar, F du Plesses (c), Q de Kock (wk), VD Philander, WD Parnell, KA Maharaj, KJ Abbott, M Morkel, Imran Tahir

Rest of the World 2010s 1st Innings 299-10 (116.3 Ov)

Younis Khan 78, FDM Karunaratne 62, Tamim Iqbal 50, VD Philander 2-49, KA Maharaj 2-49, M Morkel 2-56

South Africa 2010s 1st Innings 324-10 (137.5 Ov)

VD Philander 99, AK Markram 73, F du Plessis 62, KAJ Roach 5-60, HMRKB Herath 3-81

Rest of the World 2010s 2nd Innings 383-7 (112.4 Ov)

BB McCullum 95, Azhar Ali 85, Tamim Iqbal 66, VD Philander 2-48, KJ Abbott 2-55, KA Maharaj 2-78

South Africa 2010s 2nd Innings 182-5 (83 Ov)

HM Amla 58, AK Markram 56, Q de Kock 26, Mehedi Hasan 2-44, HMRKB Herath 2-48

Match Drawn

Man of the Match:  KAJ Roach

The result takes South Africa to 16 points with 1 game to go.  They have a bye in the next round and then face Australia at home in their final game.  The Rest of the World pick up their first points of the group and are in Australia for their next game.  This is a massive game for both teams.