Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Imran Tahir now has the best ever bowling figures by a South African in ODI cricket, but he has credited the batsmen for Thursday's convincing 139-run win against the West Indies in St Kitts.
Tahir's 7/45 ensured that the West Indies were bowled out for 204 in reply to South Africa's 343/4 and it eclipsed Kagiso Rabada's 6/16 against Bangladesh in July last year.
The result means that the Proteas now go to the top of the Tri Nations series log with two games remaining for all three sides.
Tahir also becomes the quickest South African to reach 100 wickets in ODI cricket, achieving the feat in 58 matches. Morne Morke held the previous record, taking 59 matches to reach 100 wickets.
But despite having a day to remember, Tahir chose to credit the Proteas batsmen for giving him the freedom to mix it up.
Hashim Amla (110), Quinton de Kock (71) and Faf du Plessis (73*) all saw to it that South Africa's top order fired for the first time in the series.
"I had the freedom to bowl what I wanted to because the boys put a decent total on the board, especially on a track like this," Tahir said.
"They put us in a position where the bowlers could do whatever they want to do and try to attack and that's what we did and things went well for us."
Tahir said he was not aware of the fact that his figures were the best by a South African.
"I feel really proud. I didn’t know that, but I’ll take it any day," he said.
"It’s a big challenge as a spinner, playing modern day cricket where you have to have five fielders inside the circle. It’s very challenging, but it’s good as well because that makes you try and be perfect."
The Proteas are next in action when they take on Australia on Sunday.
