DURBAN – Lonwabo Tsotsobe received the man of the match award after his four wickets led South Africa to a crushing 135-run win over India in the first one-day international at Kingsmead on Wednesday.
A century partnership between AB de Villiers and JP Duminy steered the home team, after winning the toss, to an imposing total of 289 for nine before left-arm seamer Tsotsobe and his fellow bowlers skittled India for 154. Dale Steyn trapped Murali Vijay lbw for a single in the first over and Tsotsobe claimed the key wicket when he had Sachin Tendulkar caught at fine leg for seven.
Lanky fast bowler Morkel made life hell for the middle-order with an opening spell of two for nine in four overs, removing Rohit Sharma (11) and Yuvraj Singh (2). Virat Kohli and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni then put on 52 in 12 overs before Dhoni’s freak run-out brought India to their knees.
The wicketkeeper-batsman was on 25 when Kohli’s fierce straight drive was deflected back on to the non-striker’s stumps by paceman Wayne Parnell.
Kohli top-scored with 54 before he flicked Steyn to a leaping Smith at square-leg. Suresh Raina then added 32 in a losing cause. Tsotsobe finished with four for 31 while Morkel claimed two for 12 and Steyn two for 29.
