Marvelous Markram Guides Proteas To Emphatic Victory Over West Indies

Aiden Markram scored a T20I career-best 86 not out, ensuring the Proteas romped home to an emphatic nine-wicket victory over the West Indies at Boland Park in Paarl, marking a sensational start to their final series before the T20 World Cup. 

The sun had barely set on the SA20 as South Africa had a quick turnaround for their T20I series against the West Indies – before the start of the T20 World Cup on the 7th of February in India and Sri Lanka.

South Africa came into the game resting Quinton de Kock, Marco Jansen, Tristan Stubbs, and Anrich Nortje following their team’s triumph in the SA20 final this past Sunday.

Aiden Markram won the toss and opted to bowl first in clear and sunny but windy conditions in Paarl.

Brandon King and Johnson Charles got the West Indies off to a quick-fire start as Kagiso Rabada’s first two balls were dispatched to the boundary. 

The attacking impetus on Rabada did not relent as the openers continued their fiery intent, with the run-rate looking healthy at roughly 10 an over early on. 

George Linde looked economical from the other end, but it was the change to Keshav Maharaj that made the breakthrough – who castled Charles with a quicker one – for an opening partnership of 39.

Four runs later, Corbin Bosch got in the act as the dangerous King chopped on when he looked set for a score that threatened to hurt the Proteas.

The steady loss of wickets continued as Maharaj claimed the wicket of Pretoria Capitals teammate Sherfane Rutherford, as the West Indies lost three wickets for 11 runs.

Matthew Forde succumbed to Bosch, his second scalp, thanks to a wonderful catch in the deep by Rabada.

Roston Chase became the third batter to drag-on, after King and Rutherford – getting a bottom edge – as Linde got a reward for some tight bowling.

On the back-end of the innings, Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell added the innings’ highest partnership of 74, with Hetmyer adding 48 off 32 balls, including three monstrous sixes, before being brilliantly caught on the boundary by Dewald Brevis off the bowling of Linde.

Linde claimed the final wicket of Jason Holder as the West Indies ended their innings on 173/7.

WEST INDIES – 173/7

Hetmyer 48 (32 balls), Rovman Powell 29* (25 balls), Brandon King 27 (16 balls)

George Linde 3/25 (4 overs), Corbin Bosch 2/35 (4 overs)

The South African innings started similarly to the West Indies; Aiden Markram and Lhuan-dre Pretorius were able to sustain their onslaught for a while longer than their counterparts. 

Their 83-run opening wicket stand came to an end when Pretorius was caught at midwicket by Forde off the bowling of Chase for an aggressive 44 off 28 balls.  

Earlier, Aiden Markram survived being dropped by Akeal Hosein while on 27 and went on to score a well-deserved fifty off 28 balls. 

By the time Ryan Rickelton joined his captain at the wicket, South Africa were well ahead of the run-rate, and Rickelton’s 40 runs at more than a run a ball was sufficient. 

The West Indies attack looked blunt as they struggled to stem the tide and get back in the game. 

The second-wicket pair continued where the opening stand left off, getting to their 50 partnership in 27 balls and maintained the run-rate at over nine to the over as they looked to canter home. 

The pair finished the game with an unbeaten 93-run partnership off 62 balls with 13 balls to spare. 

South Africa takes a 1-0 lead in the three-game T20I series, with the next game taking place at Supersport Park on Thursday.

Aiden Markram 86* (47 balls), Ryan Rickelton 40* (32 balls), Lhuan-dre Pretorius 44 (28 balls)

Roston Chase 1/31 (4 overs)