Smuts and Parnell Secure Victory for South Africa Champions in Bowl-Out

BIRMINGHAM: South Africa Champions commenced their World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 campaign remarkably, clinching a thrilling bowl-out triumph against West Indies Champions at Edgbaston this Saturday.

The match, shortened to 11 overs per side, saw Proteas captain AB de Villiers win the toss and elect to field first.

The West Indies, batting first, posted 79/5 in their 11 overs, propelled by Lendl Simmons and wicketkeeper Chadwick Walton.

Simmons led the West Indies’ scoring with 28 runs from 21 balls, closely trailed by Walton’s unbeaten 27, also from 21 deliveries.

Aaron Phangiso stood out among the South Africa Champions bowlers, claiming two wickets for 19 runs in his three overs. Duanne Olivier, JJ Smuts, and Hardus Viljoen each contributed with a single wicket.

South Africa Champions faced a target of 81 runs in 11 overs, adjusted by the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method.

The Proteas managed to score 80/6 in their response, falling short of the required nine runs in the final over, bowled by Fidel Edwards.

Sarel Erwee was the top scorer for South Africa, hitting 27 off 18 balls, including two fours and a six. JP Duminy added an unbeaten 25 from 12 balls.

For the West Indies, Sheldon Cottrell and Edwards each secured two wickets, while Sulieman Benn took one.

With the rain-affected match ending in a tie, a bowl-out was conducted instead of a super over.

South Africa Champions won the bowl-out toss and chose to bowl first, meaning the Proteas would deliver all five of their attempts initially to set the score.

The Proteas experienced a shaky start in the bowl-out, with Aaron Phangiso, Chris Morris, and Hardus Viljoen missing the stumps in their first three attempts.

Smuts finally scored for the Proteas on their fourth attempt, followed by Wayne Parnell, who skillfully doubled the score with a well-executed yorker.

The West Indies needed to hit three of their five attempts to win but were unsuccessful as none of their bowlers struck the stumps. Thus, South Africa Champions inaugurated their WCL 2025 campaign with a victory.