A career-best spell from Ryan McLaren bowled South Africa to a 13-run victory in the first of two Twenty20 Internationals against West Indies yesterday

Ryan McLaren takes fifer as Proteas beat Windies by 13 runs in T20 opener

A career-best spell from Ryan McLaren bowled South Africa to a 13-run victory in the first of two Twenty20 Internationals against West Indies yesterday.

McLaren captured five wickets for 19 runs from 3.5 overs to earn the Man-of-the-Match award, as West Indies, chasing 137 for victory from their 20 overs, were dismissed for 123 with one ball to spare at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.

The 27-year-old finished with second-best figures in a T20I behind Pakistan's Umar Gul, who took five for six off three overs against New Zealand at The Oval in the World T20 last year.

"It's a good way to start off the tour having practised indoors and not outdoors for the last few weeks," said McLaren. "But there's plenty more cricket to come. We all know the nature of T20 cricket -- the bowler is always up against it. You can take five wickets one day, and the next day, take a thumping, but I enjoyed it," added McLaren.

Earlier veteran South African batsman Jacques Kallis had struck one four and three sixes in his knock of 53 from 45 balls, as South Africa laboured to 136 for seven from their 20 overs, after deciding to bat on an uneven pitch. He added 73 for the second wicket with South Africa captain Graeme Smith, whose 37 from 31 balls included three fours and one six. But once they were separated, South Africa's batting collapsed.

McLaren then stole the show as he ripped out Andre Fletcher caught behind by stand-in 'keeper Abraham de Villiers for a duck, and had the dangerous West Indies captain Chris Gayle caught at long-on for 14 to leave the hosts on 28 for two in the sixth over.

Hosts disappointed
"It was a disappointing start for us," said Windies skipper Chris Gayle.

"We wanted to put our dismal performance in the World T20 behind us, but this was not the best way to do it," he added.

Brief Scores: South Africa 136 for 7 (Jacques Kallis 53; Kieron Pollard 2-22) bt West Indies 123 (Pollard 27, Ryan McLaren 5-19) by 13 runs.

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