Champions Trophy: Kieron Pollard wicket from final ball sends West Indies out

South Africa 230-6 (Ingram 73); West Indies 190-6 (Samuels 48) Match tied (D/L method)

Colin Ingram scored 73 from just 63 deliveries for South Africa (AP)

South Africa went through to the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy as a dramatic finish in Cardiff saw their Group B game with West Indies end in a tie under the Duckworth-Lewis method.

After rain had reduced the game to 31 overs a side, a fine 73 off 63 balls from Colin Ingram and scores of 38 from David Miller and 37 from captain A B de Villiers helped the Proteas post 230 for 6. Ingram went to his half-century off 46 balls and soon advanced into the 70s before skying Kieron Pollard to Darren Bravo.

With an imposing target to chase, Chris Gayle went on the offensive, swatting Dale Steyn’s first ball of this tournament for four. But wickets began to fall as the run-rate started to climb. Johnson Charles (16) sent a steepling catch to keeper De Villiers. Chris Morris got Gayle (36) to edge to Francois du Plessis, Devon Smith then went lbw after a quickfire 30.

Some power hitting from Marlon Samuels (48) and Pollard (28) put West Indies on course to pull off the run chase, having recovered from being 87 for 3 at one point. Then Bravo did not last long as he was run out for just 12 soon after the resumption from a rain break.

But Samuels suddenly hit 31 from nine deliveries. He was bowled by Steyn, but Pollard and Dwayne Bravo carried on, until the game reached its dramatic denouement with West Indies four runs ahead of the par Duckworth-Lewis score.

Pollard lofted the first ball of Ryan McLaren’s over to Steyn, and the fall of wicket put them level. Seconds later, the rain intensified and the game declared as a tie. If Pollard had not been out, the West Indies would have won. Both sides get a point, but South Africa go through on net run-rate.