Bravo gives West Indies hope

Captain Dwayne Bravo and a rash of extras gave the West Indies hope in bowler-friendly conditions in a Twenty20 international against South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium on Friday.

The West Indies made 131 for seven after being sent in on a pitch which gave considerable help to the seam bowlers.

Bravo made a hard-hit 24 off 17 balls with two sixes but extras was the biggest contributor to the total with 29, including a remarkable 15 byes.

With the ball swinging and moving prodigiously off the seam, the West Indies were in deep trouble at 79 for six in the 15th over but Bravo's attacking innings and some audacious running for byes when the ball beat the bat enabled the West Indies to make a competitive total.

Rain during the afternoon made it seem unlikely that play would start on time but there was a break in the weather at the time of the toss and play went on in overcast weather.

It was the second 20-overs international of the tour. The West Indies won by five wickets in a game reduced to 13 overs a side in Port Elizabeth before the Test series, which South Africa won by two matches to one.

Shaun Pollock, who has announced his retirement from international cricket after the one-day series which follows this match, claimed the wicket of Rawl Lewis to finish with 15 wickets in 12 Twenty20 internationals - more than any other bowler in the shortest form of the game.

South Africa's pace bowlers posed problems for the batsmen but off-spinner Justin Ontong conceded 25 runs off two overs, including both Bravo's sixes.

Chris Gayle, the tour captain, had still not recovered from a broken thumb and the side was captained by Bravo, who led the side in the third and final Test in Durban.