Reduced Game Provides Entertainment As West Indies Get Consolation Win

Despite a game reduced to ten overs and defeat to the West Indies by six runs on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method, South Africa will be pleased with their preparation going into the T20 World Cup, as they claimed a 2-1 series victory heading into the global showpiece being hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

It was the Proteas’ first T20I series victory under Shukri Conrad and their first in six, in a game reduced in overs on two occasions due to lightning.

Besides being used as a send-off before the team heads to the T20 World Cup, the game also served as the first time the Proteas played a T20I in pink due to the lack of ODIs scheduled in South Africa for the Summer. 

Pink Day is an annual cricket game in South Africa, hosted at the Wanderers, in which the stadium is a sea of pink to raise awareness and in support of breast cancer sufferers and their families.

As has been the case the entire series, Proteas captain Aiden Markram won the toss and opted to bowl first. 

South Africa rested Marco Jansen, Anrich Nortje, and Kagiso Rabada and brought in George Linde, Corbin Bosch, and Lungi Ngidi – the latter playing his first game of the series.

With the game suffering an initial delay, it was reduced to 16 overs. The game began with Shai Hope caressing Ngidi through the covers for a wonderful four, and when Johnson Charles tried to follow suit, he was caught by Jason Smith stationed at short cover.

With the in-form Shimron Hetmyer coming to the crease, the two put on an aggressive display of batting as they smashed Keshav Maharaj for 18 in his first over.

They continued their gung-ho nature as the captain brought himself on to bowl and also went for 18 runs as the West Indies were going berserk with bat in hand.

At the end of six overs and with the score on 66/1, lightning struck twice as the teams came off the pitch. Another one-hour delay reduced the game further to just ten overs, giving the West Indies just four more overs to bat once they returned to the pitch.

When play resumed, the pair tore into Maharaj’s second over before Hope was caught at long-off for a superb 48 off 25 balls, subsequently ending their 86-run second-wicket stand.

Rovman Powell’s innings was highlighted by hitting Kwena Maphaka’s first ball for an enormous six and following up with another on the fifth ball – but it was the bowler who had the last laugh as Powell held out to Brevis at deep cover. 

Corbin Bosch bowled an exceptional final over before Hetmyer dispatched the final ball of the innings for a six to end on an exceptional 48 not out off 22 balls, which included six sixes.

WEST INDIES – 114/3

Shimron Hetmyer 48* (22 balls), Shai Hope 48 (25 balls)

Lungi Ngidi 1/19 (2 overs)

South Africa started well, scoring 19 off the first over with Quinton de Kock the chief aggressor. When Markram tried to follow suit, he could only succeed in top edging Akeal Hosein, who caught the Proteas captain off his own bowling.

Brevis was sent in at number three and was dropped by Romario Shephard while on two. 

De Kock was dismissed shortly after on the long-off boundary for 28 off 14 balls. 

Rickelton joined Brevis at the crease and the two put on a quick-fire 28-run stand off just 11 deliveries before Rickelton tried to pull one wide across off stump and was caught at long-on. 

Brevis followed just two balls later, caught stunningly on the boundary as Powell and Jason Holder combined for the catch. 

With South Africa at 63/4 after six overs – a further 62 runs were needed in the remaining four overs. 

Jason Smith came to the wicket and showed his finishing ability, smashing 20 off his first seven balls. Alongside Linde, the two put on a partnership of 37 off 14 balls before Linde was caught expertly by Roston Chase. 

Shamar Joseph was handed the ball for the final over, and although Smith smashed him for four on the third ball, the bowler responded with an amazing yorker, castling him for a well-played 26 runs off just 10 balls, leaving South Africa with too much to do in the final two balls.

Despite a reduced game, it did not lack in entertainment as both teams will now cast their eye to the T20 World Cup. 

SOUTH AFRICA – 118/6

Quinton De Kock 28 (14 balls), Jason Smith 26 (10 balls)

Gudakesh Motie 3/17 (2 overs)