De Kock leads SA's ODI onslaught

The real SA one-day team stood up at the Wanderers last night.

At least, that's what their supporters will hope in the wake of the Proteas' thrashing of India in the first ODI.

SA began their march to triumph by amassing 358/4, an innings powered by the cold fury of Quinton de Kock's 135 and 105 off 46 balls between AB de Villiers and JP Duminy.

Then Ryan McLaren and Dale Steyn shared six wickets to dismiss India for 217 in 41 overs as SA clinched victory by 141 runs.

SA had gone 16 ODIs without reaching 300. They snapped that streak with help from their first century opening stand in 68 ODIs, a partnership of 152 that endured into the 30th over before Hashim Amla went for 65.

De Kock stayed until the 42nd over, when he blipped a return catch to Virat Kohli. After 121 balls, 18 fours and three sixes, the magnificent madness was over.

The way De Kock went to his second ODI century told the story. Having boomed a free hit out of the ground to reach 98 not out, he was happy to take the remaining two runs in singles.

De Kock's dismissal ended a stand of 72 he shared with De Villiers. And then all hell broke loose as De Villiers and Duminy grabbed India's limited attack by the throat.

Between them, they smashed eight fours and nine sixes: trying to keep the ball down was a rare consideration.

De Villiers had his stumps splayed by Mohammed Shami for 79 with three balls left in the innings.

Duminy finished unbeaten on 59. It took India 16 Steyn deliveries to lay bat on ball, and another to score a run by way of Rohit Sharma's leading edge.

More aggressive bowling - McLaren smacked Yuvraj Singh on the temple first ball then bowled him with a delivery that straightened after pitching - and fiery fielding created two runouts from nothing that saw India dwindle to 158/6 in the 30th over.

Only MS Dhoni could save them from there. Dropped on 18, he scrapped his way to a 65 before Steyn shattered his stumps in the 41st over.