West Indies have beaten South Africa by 30 runs to win the series, with one game to spare on Monday (August 26). Crucial cameos from Shai Hope, Rovman Powell and Sherfane Rutherford helped West Indies post 179 on the board. In reply, Romario Shepherd and Shamar Joseph bowled exceptional spells, where the duo claimed three wickets each to win the match for West Indies.
West Indies made 179 for six but the South Africans were well on their way to victory, reaching 129 for 3 with more than six overs remaining.
The Proteas then proceeded to lose their last seven wickets for just 20 runs in 35 balls, finally ending up bowled out for 149.
Reeza Hendricks made 44 off 18 balls in a positive start to the run chase, but it was a day to remember for West Indies’ seamers at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy Stadium.
Romario Shepherd took 3-15 from his four overs, claiming the key wickets of Hendricks and skipper Aiden Markram (19).
Romario Shepherd, the Player of the Match pleased with his performance: “I’m very pleased. I just paid more attention to my execution. I take it ball by ball… In T20 cricket, you can’t come back by thinking about your past performances. I executed better today. My role is to come, and try and hit as much as possible.”
Fellow pacer Shamar Joseph took 3-31 as he did the damage to the lower order.
Shai Hope had set the home side on their way to a good total with his 41 from 22 balls while skipper Rovman Powell’s 35 and Sherfane Rutherford’s 29 saw them through the final overs.
Powell was pleased with the way his team had turned the game around after the strong start from the tourists.
“We put the pressure after the powerplay. Wickets would bring us back in the game. T20 cricket can change very fast,” he said.
Markram said his experimental and youthful team would learn from the loss and seek to put it right in Tuesday’s final game.
“It’s tough to put a finger on the learnings right now but one thing guaranteed with us is a never-say-die attitude,” he said.