The West Indies thanks to a man of the match knock by captain Shai Hope beat South Africa by 48 runs to take a one-nil lead in the reduced two-match one day international series at Buffalo Park in East London.

Hope led the way slamming an unbeaten 128 from 115 balls as the windies winning the toss and elected to bat made a competitive 335 for 8 off their allotted 50 overs.

The Barbadian whose knock included 5 fours and 7 sixes also shared in a vital 5th wicket stand of 80 with Rovman Powell who fell 4 runs short of a half century after being dismissed while on 46..

Earlier Kyle Mayers 36 and Brandon King 30 put on 67 runs for the first wicket while Nicholas Pooran contributed 39.

Gerald Coetzee 3 for 57 was the top South African bowler with 2 each for Bjorn Fortuin and Tabraiz Shamsi.

The Proteas in response pulled within striking distance but ultimately came up short at 287 all out after the dismissal of captain Temba Bavuma who cracked a sublime 144 from 118 deliveries ….an effort inclusive of 11 fours and 7 sixes.

Quinton de Kock who made 48 was the next best batsman for south Africa while Alzari Joseph 3 for 53 and Akeal Hossein 3 for 59 were the mainstays of the Windies bowling unit.

Final scores again: West Indies 335 for 8, South Africa 287.

The Windies with today’s result won their first game on the current tour of South Africa.

They now turn their attention to the final game of the series in Potchefstroom on Tuesday..