Morton, Sammy rescue West Indies against South Africa

Runako Morton and Darren Sammy shared a 69-run seventh wicket partnership to rescue the West Indies after a top-order collapse in the first one-day international against South Africa at Centurion Park Sunday.

The West Indies made 175 all out after being sent in to bat in a match reduced by rain to 36 overs a side.

It was a total which did not seem achievable when the tourists were floundering at 81 for six.

But Morton (41) and Sammy (51), the last reputable batsmen in their side, batted sensibly to stem the tide of wickets before hitting out towards the end.

Sammy reached a maiden international half-century with a flurry of hitting. His 51-ball innings featured three sixes, including two off successive balls from Albie Morkel in the penultimate over.

Sammy was dropped at long-on by substitute fielder Johan Botha off Morkel when he was on 23 and should have been run out on 49 by a flick onto the stumps by Mark Boucher when he was casual about making his ground in completing a second run. Umpire Rudi Koerten did not call for a decision by the television umpire but a replay showed his foot was in the air.

Sammy was one of three men dismissed in the final over.

South African captain Graeme Smith had no hesitation in sending the West Indies in when it was decided that play would start three-and-a-quarter hours late.

The bowlers dominated on a lively pitch until Morton and Sammy effected a revival.

Fast bowler Dale Steyn took two for 24 and Andre Nel two for 36. Shaun Pollock, playing in his final series after announcing his retirement from international cricket, took one for 19 with an immaculate spell with the new ball and contributed to two run-outs with accurate throws from the deep.

Scoreboard:

West Indies

Falls: 1-26 (Smith), 2-35 (Parchment), 3-61 (Samuels), 4-68 (Chanderpaul), 5-72 (Bravo), 6-81 (Ramdin), 7-150 (Morton), 8-174 (Rampaul), 9-175 (Sammy)

South Africa: G Smith, A de Villiers, J Kallis, J Duminy, J Ontong, M Boucher, S Pollock, A Morkel, A Nel, D Steyn, C Langeveldt.

Umpires: D Harper (AUS) and R Koertzen (RSA).

TV umpire: B Jerling (RSA).

Match referee: J Srinath (IND).