McLaren Bowls South Africa to Win Over Windies

North Sound: All-rounder Ryan McLaren took 5-19 on Wednesday to spur South Africa to a 13-run victory over West Indies in the opening Twenty20 International at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

West Indies, chasing South Africa's modest 136-7 off 20 overs, were undone by the 27-year-old McLaren and slumped to 123 all out of 19.5 overs.

Jacques Kallis' 53 off 45 deliveries was the backbone of the Proteas' challenging total on a two-paced pitch.

Captain Graeme Smith contributed a crucial 37 off 31 balls and shared a fine second-wicket stand of 73.

The home team's chase was quickly undermined by McLaren, who removed both openers Chris Gayle and Andre Fletcher.

Fletcher edged to wicket-keeper AB de Villiers while Gayle, after hitting two fours, swatted a pull to long-on at 28-2.

Dwayne Bravo (20) and Ramnaresh Sarwan (13) added 20 for the third wicket before another slump.

Off-spinner Johan Botha (2-19) dismissed Bravo to a catch in the deep and added the scalp of Narsingh Deonarine, stumped off a legside wide.

It was 52-5 when Sarwan chipped Roelof van der Merwe off the leading edge to extra cover.

Kieron Pollard (27 off 17 balls) threatened briefly to take the game away from the South Africans but once McLaren returned to rock his leg stump with a yorker, the victory was assured.

McLaren added the wickets of Darren Sammy and Sulieman Benn to become only the fourth bowler to take five wickets in a Twenty20 International.

Earlier, the 34-year-old Kallis struck three sixes and one four in his innings-moulding knock.

The West Indies struck early after Chris Gayle won the toss and inserted the Proteas.

Loots Bosman was caught down the leg side by wicket-keeper Andre Fletcher off Jerome Taylor although umpire Clyde Duncan was in the process of signaling wide when the batsman walked.

Smith and Kallis anchored the innings after that before a late collapse.

Pollard took 2-22 while pace ace Kemar Roach grabbed 2/25 for the West Indies

Brief scores
South Africa 136 for 7 (Kallis 53, Pollard 2-22)
West Indies 123 (Pollard 27, McLaren 5-19)
Result South Africa won by 13 runs
MOM Ryan McLaren (South Africa)