| 0.0 : TOSS - The coin goes up and lands in favour of West Indies. They will BOWL first. |
| West Indies (Playing XI) - Kyle Mayers, Brandon King, Johnson Charles, Nicholas Pooran (WK), Rovman Powell (C), Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Sheldon Cottrell, Akeal Hosein and Alzarri Joseph. |
| South Africa (Playing XI) - Quinton de Kock (WK), Reeza Hendricks, Rilee Rossouw, Aiden Markram (C), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Sisanda Magala, Bjorn Fortuin, Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi. |
| Rovman Powell, the captain of West Indies says that they will bowl first as itâs the trend on the venue. Adds they will have to do the right things and play good cricket. Mentions that he will have to lead from the front and the team will follow. Says that they are going with a balanced side. |
| Aiden Markram, the skipper of South Africa is in for a chat. He says that they would've bowled first as well but they will try to put a sufficent total on the board. Mentions it is about encouraging guys about expressing themselves in the shortest format. Adds that it is a fresh start from them. |
| Right then, the prolonged wait comes to an end. The two umpires are seen making their way out on the field. The West Indies players are seen to be in a huddle before they spread out on the field. Followed by Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks who walk out to open for South Africa. It will be Akeal Hosein to start with the new ball. A huge dark lurking around the ground. Hopefully, the rain gods do not interrupt once again. Here we go... |
| 0.1 : Rilee Rossouw is the new man in. |
| 0.6 : Will we see pace from the other end? Yes, we will! Sheldon Cottrell gets the ball in hand. |
| 1.4 : Sheldon Cottrell to Rilee Rossouw, OUT! TAKEN! South Africa loses their second! Back of a length ball outside off. Rilee Rossouw hits it flat to Rovman Powell at mid off who takes it with ease. Rilee Rossouw departs after a fast start. |
| Aiden Markram is the new man in. |
| 1.5 : Sheldon Cottrell to Aiden Markram, On a fullish length outside off, Aiden Markram drives this to covers for none. A slight misfield as Markram decides against taking the run. |
| 1.6 : Sheldon Cottrell to Aiden Markram, Full and angling on the leg peg. Aiden Markram goes for the heave and misses. Gets a thud on the pad. |
| 0.1 : Akeal Hosein to Quinton de Kock, OUT! TAKEN! Akeal Hosein gets a wicket first ball. What a start for West Indies. On a shortish length around off. Quinton de Kock gets down to paddle it away but he gets a top edge that flies off to Sheldon Cottrell at the short fine leg region who runs back and takes a simple catch. A brilliant start for Akeal Hosein. Quinton de Kock departs for a golden duck. |
| 0.2 : Akeal Hosein to Rilee Rossouw, Full and on off. Rilee Rossouw gets a leading edge to point as he prods forward. |
| 0.3 : Akeal Hosein to Rilee Rossouw, Fires it full and quick outside off. Rilee Rossouw goes for the heave and misses. |
| 0.4 : Akeal Hosein to Rilee Rossouw, Flat and just outside off. Rilee Rossouw punches off the backfoot into covers and a slight misfield allows Rilee Rossouw to come back for a brace. |
| 0.5 : Akeal Hosein to Rilee Rossouw, FOUR! Rilee Rossouw gets the first boundary of the match. Flat and around off. Rilee Rossouw brings out the reverse and plays it in the gap between the backward point and short third for a boundary. |
| 0.6 : Akeal Hosein to Rilee Rossouw, FOUR MORE! Overpitched on the stumps. Rilee Rossouw chips it nicely over the mid on fielder as the ball runs down to the long on fence for another boundary. |
| 1.1 : Sheldon Cottrell to Reeza Hendricks, Sheldon Cottrell starts off with a full ball that swings back into the batter. Reeza Hendricks prods as the ball goes through the gap between bat and pad. |
| 1.2 : Sheldon Cottrell to Reeza Hendricks, On a good length and on off. Reeza Hendricks pushes it to mid off and gets off the mark with one. |
| 1.3 : Sheldon Cottrell to Rilee Rossouw, WIDE! Full and down the leg. Rilee Rossouw flicks and misses. The umpire calls it wide. |
| Sheldon Cottrell to Rilee Rossouw, Good length ball shaping away outside off. Rilee Rossouw hangs back and pushes into covers. |
| 2.1 : Akeal Hosein to Reeza Hendricks, Flat and on the middle and off. Reeza Hendricks nudges it toward the square leg for one. |
| 2.2 : Akeal Hosein to Aiden Markram, Flat and fires it quicker on the stumps. Aiden Markram goes back and bunts into covers. |
| 2.3 : Akeal Hosein to Aiden Markram, FOUR! Flat and angling into the batter, Aiden Markram makes room and carves it through point for a boundary. Sheldon Cottrell at the backward point region misfields and the ball goes through. |
| 2.4 : Akeal Hosein to Aiden Markram, Flat and on the leg peg. Aiden Markram shimmies down and pushes it to long on for one. |
| 2.5 : Akeal Hosein to Reeza Hendricks, SIX! CLUBBED! Short and on the middle and leg. Reeza Hendricks picks it early and pulls it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie. |
| 2.6 : Akeal Hosein to Reeza Hendricks, SIX MORE! Full and on the stumps. Reeza Hendricks gets down and slogs it over the long leg fence for another maximum. |
| 3.1 : Alzarri Joseph to Aiden Markram, FOUR! Shortish and on the middle and leg. Aiden Markram pulls and helps it on its way to the deep backward square leg fence for a boundary. Runs are flowing for South Africa. |
| 3.2 : Alzarri Joseph to Aiden Markram, FOUR MORE! BANG! Short and outside off. Aiden Markram goes for the pull and gets a top edge that flies over the short third region and into the third-man fence. One bounce for four. |
| 3.3 : Alzarri Joseph to Aiden Markram, Back of a length angled in. Aiden Markram tucks it to the deep square leg for one. |
| 3.4 : Alzarri Joseph to Reeza Hendricks, On a good length and on off. Reeza Hendricks pushes it into covers with soft hands and takes a single. |
| 3.5 : Alzarri Joseph to Aiden Markram, OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Hard length into the surface on the middle and leg. Aiden Markram goes for the loft but gets it from the toe end of the blade and falls into the hands of Johnson Charles at the deep mid-wicket fence who calmly settles under it and takes it with ease.  South Africa loses their 3rd as skipper Markram departs. |
| David Miller walks in now. |
| 3.6 : Alzarri Joseph to David Miller, WIDE! Shortish and outside off. David Miller sways out of it and it is wided by the umpire. |
| Alzarri Joseph to David Miller, FOUR! David Miller is up and running with a boundary. Overpitched outside off. David Miller leans and drives it elegantly through extra covers for a cracking boundary. |
| 4.1 : Romario Shepherd to Reeza Hendricks, Romario Shepherd starts off with a short of a length ball down the leg. Reeza Hendricks helps it away to deep backward square leg for one. |
| 4.2 : Romario Shepherd to David Miller, Short of a length again outside off. David Miller runs it down toward the wide third man for one. |
| 4.3 : Romario Shepherd to Reeza Hendricks, Full and on off. Reeza Hendricks has driven it to mid off. |
| 4.4 : Romario Shepherd to Reeza Hendricks, Full-length delivery on off. Reeza Hendricks drives it to long off for one. |
| Romario Shepherd to Reeza Hendricks, WIDE! Slower ball, full and down the leg, Reeza Hendricks goes for the swat and misses. Wide given by the umpire. |
| 4.5 : Romario Shepherd to David Miller, Very full, on leg. Miller clips it to short fine leg and crosses for a risky single. |
| 4.6 : Romario Shepherd to Reeza Hendricks, Full length, on middle and leg. Reeza Hendricks stays leg side and smacks it straight down the ground. They collect a brace. |
| 5.1 : Odean Smith to David Miller, Back of a length, on off. Miller pulls it off the bottom end towards deep mid-wicket. One taken. |
| 5.2 : Odean Smith to Reeza Hendricks, Short again, outside off, it skids through. Reeza Hendricks thinks about riding the bounce and goes for the pull shot. The ball goes very high in the air, but fortunately it lands short of the fielder. Two taken. |
| 5.3 : Odean Smith to Reeza Hendricks, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Odean Smith gets his first wicket. Reeza Hendricks' valiant innings comes to an end. It is a slower ball, shorter, outside off. It holds on the deck a bit. Reeza Hendricks heaves across the line but only manages to feather it behind to the keeper. Nicholas Pooran there makes no mistake. More of a muted celebration from the West Indies players. |
| Heinrich Klaasen walks out to bat. |
| 5.4 : Odean Smith to Heinrich Klaasen, WIDE! A sharp bouncer, in the channel. Heinrich Klaasen lets it be. Wide called. |
| Odean Smith to Heinrich Klaasen, FIrst run off the bat for Klaasen. Short, on the body. Heinrich Klaasen pulls it to deep square leg for one. |
| 5.5 : Odean Smith to David Miller, Length and on leg. Miller clips it towards mid on and comes back for the second run quite comfortably. |
| 5.6 : Odean Smith to David Miller, A wicket-taking over from Smith comes to an end. On a length, around leg. It skids through. Miller tucks it towards square leg. A bit of hesitation but Miller puts in a dive to get inside the crease safely. |
| 6.1 : Sheldon Cottrell to David Miller, Fuller, on off. Miller knocks it down to mid off. |
| 6.2 : Sheldon Cottrell to David Miller, David Miller now rotates the strike as he flicks this length ball behind square on the leg side. |
| 6.3 : Sheldon Cottrell to Heinrich Klaasen, OUT! CAUGHT! South Africa now have half of their side back in the hut. Heinrich Klaasen trudges back with having any impact on the score. The famous salute celebration of Sheldon Cottrell is out once again. It is a half-volley outside off. Heinrich Klaasen opens the face of the bat late but hits it straight down the throat of Johnson Charles at backward point who make no mistake. |
| 6.4 : Sheldon Cottrell to Wayne Parnell, WIDE! Shortish and down the leg. Wayne Parnell pulls and misses. Wide signaled. |
| Sheldon Cottrell to Wayne Parnell, Short again and around off. Wayne Parnell pulls it to deep square leg for one. |
| 6.5 : Sheldon Cottrell to David Miller, Slower ball, on a length and down the leg. David Miller nudges it toward a backward square leg for one. |
| 6.6 : Sheldon Cottrell to Wayne Parnell, Back of a length outside off, Wayne Parnell guides it to short third and the batters scamper for a quick run. |
| 7.1 : Alzarri Joseph to Wayne Parnell, Back of a length, on leg. Wayne Parnell pulls it down to deep square leg for a single. |
| 7.2 : Alzarri Joseph to David Miller, A bit fuller, on fourth stump. Miller clips it through square leg for one more. |
| 7.3 : Alzarri Joseph to Wayne Parnell, Another single now as Parnell smacks it down to long on for a single. |
| 7.4 : Alzarri Joseph to David Miller, Alzarri Joseph fires in a full ball, on off. Miller clips it in front of long on. The call is for two runs and they get two. Good, positive running. |
| 7.5 : Alzarri Joseph to David Miller, Shorter, on the body. Miller pulls to deep backward square leg for a single. |
| 7.6 : Alzarri Joseph to Wayne Parnell, A tidy over from Alzarri Joseph comes to an end. A dot to end the over. It is full, down leg. Wayne Parnell gets pinged on his pads as he misses to get his blade down in time. Clearly, the contact is outside the line. |
| 8.1 : Romario Shepherd to David Miller, SIX! BANG! A welcome boundary for South Africa. This is what Miller can do! Very full, on leg stump. David Miller clears his front leg and tonks it over the square leg fence. He hits it so cleanly that it hits the roof of the stands there. New ball is selected by the umpire now. |
| 8.2 : Romario Shepherd to David Miller, WIDE! A slower ball, wide of off. This one goes past the tramline. The umpire signals a wide. |
| Romario Shepherd to David Miller, Fuller, on off, angled in. Miller clips it towards mid on for one. |
| 8.3 : Romario Shepherd to Wayne Parnell, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Romario Shepherd gets his first. A good-length ball, wide of off. Wayne Parnell now tries to break the shackles and slashes hard away from his body. The ball takes the outside edge. It is a slower ball and the ball almost dies as it reached the keeper. Nicholas Pooran though takes a good low catch in front of him. |
| Sisanda Magala walks out to bat. |
| 8.4 : Romario Shepherd to Sisanda Magala, Sisanda Magala is off the mark. Good length, on fourth stump. Magala steers it down to third man for one. |
| 8.5 : Romario Shepherd to David Miller, FOUR! Incredible shot. A bit short, outside off. David Miller rocks back and cuts it powerfully past extra covers. The ball races away to the fence. |
| 8.6 : Romario Shepherd to David Miller, FOUR LEG BYES! It does not matter how the runs come now. It is full, sliding down leg. Miller fails to flick it away. The ball though brushes the pads and runs down to the fine leg fence. The crowd has something to cheer now. |
| 9.1 : Sheldon Cottrell to Sisanda Magala, FOUR! Sisanda Magala joins the party! Short ball, in the channel. Sisanda Magala slices it over covers. One bounce and over the ropes. Finds the gap brilliantly. |
| 9.2 : Sheldon Cottrell to Sisanda Magala, Full length, in the channel. Sisanda Magala whips it to deep square leg and gets to the other end. |
| 9.3 : Sheldon Cottrell to David Miller, SIX! OH YES! Miller is doing what he does best! Back of a length, on off. David Miller swivels, and hits it flat and hard over the deep mid-wicket fence. 11 runs off this over already. |
| 9.4 : Sheldon Cottrell to David Miller, Short one, on off. Miller clubs it down to long on and crosses. |
| 9.5 : Sheldon Cottrell to Sisanda Magala, SIX! Sisanda Magala says even he can do it! A BIGGIE! A slower ball, on a length, on middle and leg. Sisanda Magala clears his front leg and smokes it over mid-wicket for a maximum. Pressure on the bowler. |
| 9.6 : Sheldon Cottrell to Sisanda Magala, SIX! HUGE! I repeat, pressure on the bowler. Sheldon Cottrell goes full and on off. Sisanda Magala hammers it over the bowler's head for a flat six. Incredible shot. 24 runs off the over. South Africa get to 116 in a blink of an eye. |
| 10.1 : Odean Smith to David Miller, FOUR! Width on offer and punished. It is full, wide outside off. David Miller reaches out and smashes it through point for a boundary. |
| 10.2 : Odean Smith to David Miller, FOUR! David Miller picks up the slower ball with ease. It is a short ball, on the body. David Miller swivels and pulls it over short fine leg and gets a boundary. |
| 10.3 : Odean Smith to David Miller, SIX! WHAT A HIT! David Miller on 48. It is very full, on leg stump. David Miller clears his front leg and wrists it powerfully over the square leg fence. He gets the bottom hand into play here. Exceptional batting. |
| 10.4 : Odean Smith to David Miller, OUT! CAUGHT! David Miller tries to go for another maximum but holes out instead. Nonetheless, the damage has been already done. The crowd goes quiet briefly, but soon applause Miller as he walks off the field. It is a short ball, on middle. David Miller pulls it to deep mid-wicket. It comes off the top-edge. Romario Shepherd takes a sharp catch near the ropes. |
| 10.5 : Odean Smith to Bjorn Fortuin, FOUR! Smacked! Bjorn Fortuin can bat as well. A short ball, outside off. Bjorn Fortuin hits it on the up and powers it over extra covers. Boundary. |
| 10.6 : Odean Smith to Bjorn Fortuin, NO BALL and OUT! A good-length ball, on off. It bounces over the stumps as Bjorn Fortuin heaves across the line. The ball goes through to the keeper. Bjorn Fortuin ventures out looking for a single. Nicholas Pooran jogs towards the stumps and underarms to get the bails off. Bjorn Fortuin is out, although the umpire signals a no ball for overstepping and Smith has to reload now for a Free-Hit. |
| Anrich Nortje is the new batter in. |
| 10.5 : The umpire signals a no ball. |
| 10.6 : Odean Smith to Anrich Nortje, Swing and a miss! Short one, outside off. Anrich Nortje slashes hard but misses. South Africa end the innings at 131/8. |
| A 13-ball 47 runs partnership between David Miller and Sisanda Magala has got South Africa to 131 for 8 in their allotted 11 overs. Having put into bat first, South Africa lost de Kock early for a golden duck. The other batters kept swinging their bat and kept the run rate going around 10 per over. West Indies picked up wickets regularly and half of the Proteas side was back in the hut inside 40 balls. Reeza Hendricks played a handy knock while Aiden Markram and Rilee Rossouw chipped in |
| Sheldon Cottrell was the pick of the Windies bowlers with 2 wickets for 31 runs in his three overs of which he was peppered for 24 in his last over.  The rest of the bowlers supported him well and kept the run rate in check, although they might feel they lost their advantage as they head into the break. Right then, the target now for West Indies is 132. Can they do it and take a 1-0 lead in this series? We shall find out together. The second essay coming up shortly. Stay tuned. |
| ... The Run Chase ... |
| We are back for West Indies' reply. |
| 0.1 : Bjorn Fortuin to Brandon King, FOUR! Brandon King is up and running with a boundary. Full and on the stumps. Brandon King makes room and carves it through the extra covers and mid off region for a boundary. |
| 0.2 : Bjorn Fortuin to Brandon King, SIX! BANG! Dragged down and on the stumps. Brandon King gets down and smashes it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. |
| 0.3 : Bjorn Fortuin to Brandon King, Flat and on off, Brandon King makes room again and drills it to mid off for one. |
| 0.4 : Bjorn Fortuin to Kyle Mayers, SIX! BOOM! Kyle Mayers joins the party. Full and just outside off, Kyle Mayers gets down and slogs it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a maximum. |
| 0.5 : Bjorn Fortuin to Kyle Mayers, OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Tossed up around off. Kyle Mayers goes the slog again but gets a top edge as the ball flies toward point. Quinton de Kock runs around and takes a good high catch. Mayers departs after hitting a SIX. |
| Johnson Charles comes in at number 3. |
| 0.6 : Bjorn Fortuin to Johnson Charles, Flat and around off, Johnson Charles bunts it into covers. |
| Who will bowl from the other end? It's going to be Wayne Parnell. |
| 1.1 : Wayne Parnell to Brandon King, SIX! CLUBBED! Full and outside off, Brandon King moves across and smokes it over the deep mid-wicket fence into the crowd for a maximum. |
| 1.2 : Wayne Parnell to Brandon King, FOUR! Short of a length outside off, Brandon King makes room and swats it toward the deep mid-wicket region for a boundary this time. |
| 1.3 : Wayne Parnell to Brandon King, Very full and on off. Brandon King digs it out and works it to mid off for one. |
| 1.4 : Wayne Parnell to Johnson Charles, Full and swings it in around off, Johnson Charles inside edges it toward short mid-wicket for one. |
| 1.5 : Wayne Parnell to Brandon King, Slower and short around off, Brandon King waits and pulls into mid-wicket for one. |
| 1.6 : Wayne Parnell to Johnson Charles, FOUR! BANG! Full and in the slot. Johnson Charles makes room, opens the bat face, and carves it through covers for a boundary. |
| Change. Sisanda Magala now comes into the attack. |
| 2.1 : Sisanda Magala to Brandon King, OUT! BOWLED'EM! Sisanda Magala gets the massive wicket off his first ball! Lands a full toss while attempting a yorker. Brandon King moves across to swat it away as the ball dips on him and takes the timber on top of the middle and leg. Brandon King departs after playing a entertaining knock and Windies are two down. |
| 2.2 : Sisanda Magala to Nicholas Pooran, FOUR! Nicholas Pooran is off the mark with a boundary. Full and outside off. Nicholas Pooran leans into it and drives it elegantly through covers for a boundary first ball. |
| 0.0 : Nicholas Pooran is the new man in. |
| 2.3 : Sisanda Magala to Nicholas Pooran, Shortish around off, Nicholas Pooran mistimes the pull toward the deep mid-wicket region for one. |
| 2.4 : Sisanda Magala to Johnson Charles, Full and in the slot, Johnson Charles lofts it away to deep mid-wicket for one. |
| 2.5 : Sisanda Magala to Nicholas Pooran, FOUR! Slower ball. Overpitched and outside off, Nicholas Pooran picks up the length early and clubs it over the infield and toward the deep extra cover region for a boundary. |
| 2.6 : Sisanda Magala to Nicholas Pooran, Full and around off, Nicholas Pooran heaves it toward deep mid-wicket for a couple to end the over. |
| 3.1 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Johnson Charles, SIX! BOOM! Johnson Charles welcomes Tabraiz Shamsi with a maximum. Tossed up around off, Johnson Charles gets down and clears his front leg to smoke it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. |
| 3.2 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Johnson Charles, Flat and around off, Johnson Charles bunts into the onside for none. |
| 3.3 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Johnson Charles, SIX MORE! Full and in the slot around the middle and off. Johnson Charles gets into position and slogs it away over the deep square leg boundary for a maximum into the crowd. |
| 3.4 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Johnson Charles, Floated on off, Johnson Charles goes for the heave again and inside edges it toward deep sqaure leg for a couple. Rilee Rossouw does well at the ropes to save two for his side. |
| 3.5 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Johnson Charles, Full and on the stumps, worked away to deep square leg for one. |
| 3.6 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Nicholas Pooran, On a length and on the leg peg, Nicholas Pooran nudges it to square leg region for one. |
| 4.1 : Anrich Nortje to Nicholas Pooran, FOUR! SMASHED! Full and outside off, Nicholas Pooran clears his front leg and smokes it through the hands of Sisanda Magala at the extra covers and goes into the deep extra cover fence for a boundary. |
| 4.2 : Anrich Nortje to Nicholas Pooran, OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Short of a length outside off, Nicholas Pooran goes for the pull and edges it through to Quinton de Kock behind the stumps who takes it with ease. South Africa get an important wicket as West Indies lose their third. |
| Rovman Powell is the new man in. |
| 4.3 : Anrich Nortje to Rovman Powell, Slower ball, back of a length down the leg, Rovman Powell nudges it past the keeper toward fine for one to get off the mark. |
| 4.4 : Anrich Nortje to Johnson Charles, Short and just outside off, Johnson Charles goes for the pull and misses as the ball zips through past the batter. |
| 4.5 : Anrich Nortje to Johnson Charles, SIX! INTO THE CROWD! Too full and down the leg. Johnson Charles helps it away over the deep square-leg fence for a biggie. |
| 4.6 : Anrich Nortje to Johnson Charles, Short again and outside off, Charles pulls and misses again. A dot to end the over. |
| 5.1 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Rovman Powell, Pulls the length ball, Rovman Powell shimmies down and inside edges it toward short fine leg for one. |
| 5.2 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Johnson Charles, Googly outside off, Johnson Charles cuts it into covers for one. |
| 5.3 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Rovman Powell, Shortish and outside off, Rovman Powell cuts it to deep cover-point for one. |
| Is that a clean catch? The third umpire gets involved here. Anrich Nortje grabs the ball mid-air, but as he releases the ball back in the air, he does manage to keep his heel away from the boundary cushion. The umpire though going through several angles here. Does he have enough evidence to give it as a wicket? Yes, he does! The big screen shows OUT and the crowd rejoice. |
| 5.4 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Johnson Charles, OUT! TAKEN! Full and wide outside off, Johnson Charles gets down for the big one. He lofts it aerially toward the long on region toward Anrich Nortje at the fence. Nortje takes the catch and throws it back into play as he loses his balance. He comes in and takes it cleanly. The umpires have multiple look whether his foot was touching the cushion while taking the catch and after multiple checks, the umpires have given this out. Johnson Charles walks bac |
| 5.5 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Romario Shepherd, Wide given by the umpire as this is spilled down the leg side. |
| 5.4 : Romario Shepherd is the new man in. |
| 5.5 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Romario Shepherd, Short and on off. Romario Shepherd pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 5.6 : Tabraiz Shamsi to Rovman Powell, SIX! BANG! This should release some pressure. It is a flat ball, on off. Powell goes back and smokes it over the bowler's head for a biggie. This is an incredible shot. West Indies are on the driving seat here. |
| 6.1 : Anrich Nortje to Romario Shepherd, A slower length ball, on off. Romario Shepherd defends it back to the bowler. |
| 6.2 : Anrich Nortje to Romario Shepherd, Length, on the pads. Romario Shepherd flicks it to deep square leg for one. |
| 6.3 : Anrich Nortje to Rovman Powell, Swing and a miss! Good length, on fifth stump. Powell thinks to have a poke at it but gets beaten. Some ohhs and aahs from the crowd this time. |
| 6.4 : Anrich Nortje to Rovman Powell, Anrich Nortje hurls in a length ball, outside off, nipping back in. Powell defends it from inside the crease. |
| 6.5 : Anrich Nortje to Rovman Powell, WIDE! A sharp bumper, outside off. This one flies over the batters head. Wide called. |
| Anrich Nortje to Rovman Powell, A length ball, on top of off. This one skids through. Powell dabs it to point and gets across to the other end. |
| 6.6 : Anrich Nortje to Romario Shepherd, A tidy over from Anrich Nortje comes to an end. What a miss! Could've been curtains for Powell. A length ball, outside off. Romario Shepherd punches it to extra cover but straight to Parnell. Powell almost reaches the other end before being sent back. Wayne Parnell takes time to aim at the non-striker's end as there no one backing up. He has a shy but misses. A huge relief for West Indies. |
| 7.1 : Bjorn Fortuin to Rovman Powell, SIX! Rovman Powell is on fire. It is full, outside off. Powell gets low and smokes it over the long off fence. |
| 7.2 : Bjorn Fortuin to Rovman Powell, FOUR! Smacking stroke! It is a half-volley, on leg. Powell gets his front foot away and drills it down to long on for a cracking boundary. |
| 7.3 : Bjorn Fortuin to Rovman Powell, Flatter on leg. Powell gets it to short fine leg off the inside edge. One taken. |
| 7.4 : Bjorn Fortuin to Romario Shepherd, Fuller, on leg. Romario Shepherd lofts it towards long on for one more. |
| 7.5 : Bjorn Fortuin to Rovman Powell, WIDE! Spinner bowling extras is not helping South Africa here. It is full, wide of off. past the tramline. The umpire extends his arms. |
| Bjorn Fortuin to Rovman Powell, SIX! Rovman Powell is doing the job single-handedly here. It is full, on the pads. Powell wrists it over the deep square leg fence. |
| 7.6 : Bjorn Fortuin to Rovman Powell, SIX! Powell goes BANG, BANG! It is pitched up, outside off. Powell frees his arms and dispatches it over the extra cover fence. This should kill any hope that the Proteas had. |
| 8.1 : Anrich Nortje to Romario Shepherd, OUT! RUN OUT! Well, I take my words back, hope comes knocking at the door for South Africa. A length ball, on off. Romario Shepherd dabs it to extra covers but straight to Wayne Parnell. The batters call for one but this time, Wayne Parnell hits the bullseye at the non-striker's end to send back Romario Shepherd. Odean Smith is the new man in. |
| 8.2 : Anrich Nortje to Rovman Powell, Length and on off. Powell guides it down to third man for one. |
| 8.3 : Anrich Nortje to Odean Smith, Good-length ball, on top of off. Smith outside-edges it down to third man for one. |
| 8.4 : Anrich Nortje to Rovman Powell, Anrich Nortje dishes a short ball, outside off. Powell plays it late, although aerially. Fortunately it goes past the diving backward point fielder. One taken. |
| 8.5 : Anrich Nortje to Odean Smith, A sharp bouncer, on leg stump. Smith ducks under. Quinton de Kock runs backward to his left and takes it in his gloves. He makes sure that it is a dot ball. |
| 8.6 : Anrich Nortje to Odean Smith, Anrich Nortje bends his back hard and digs in a short ball, outside off. Smith leaves it alone but the umpire does not signal a wide. An incredible over from Anrich Nortje comes to an end. West Indies need 17 runs off the 12 balls. Can South Africa take it down to the final over? |
| 9.1 : Sisanda Magala to Rovman Powell, Sisanda Magala serves a low full toss, on the stumps. Powell can only knock it down to long on for a single. Good start to the over, despite Magala missing out on his yorker. |
| 9.2 : Sisanda Magala to Odean Smith, FOUR! Smith keeps his cool and finds the boundary. Incredible shot. Sisanda Magala gets his yorker, on the money. Smith though opens up his body and drills it past extra covers for four runs. |
| 9.3 : Sisanda Magala to Odean Smith, OUT! CLEANED UP! Sisanda Magala has the last laugh here. Magala says You miss, I hit. It is a length ball, on off. It nips in a touch. Odean Smith tries to heave it away but misses. The ball goes through the pegs back the leg stump. 12 runs needed in 9 balls now. |
| Akeal Hosein is the new man in. |
| 9.4 : Sisanda Magala to Akeal Hosein, OUT! CAUGHT! Sisanda Magala gets two wickets in two balls. Is there a twist in the tale? It is a short ball, on off. Akeal Hosein tries to pull it away but ends up getting a top-edge on it. The ball flies towards the short third man region. Quinton de Kock runs after it and takes a sharp catch. Sisanda Magala is on a Hat-Trick. |
| Roston Chase is the new batter in. |
| 9.5 : Sisanda Magala to Roston Chase, Is that out? Sisanda Magala certainly thinks he has got his Hat-Trick. Aiden Markram takes the review for catch. Coming to the delivery. It is a short ball, on middle and leg. Chase shuffles a touch and tries to heave it across the line. The ball lobs off his arms but Magala thinks he got some bat on it. Although, the UltraEdge confirms no bat is involved. No Hat-Trick for Magala. |
| 9.6 : Sisanda Magala to Roston Chase, FOUR! A streaky boundary but West Indies will take it, does not matter how the runs come now. It is a short ball, down leg. Chase swings across the line. The ball flies off his gloves, over the keeper's head for four runs. |
| So, 8 runs needed in 6 balls. There is a pin-drop silence across the stadium now. Wayne Parnell to bowl the final over. |
| 10.1 : Wayne Parnell to Rovman Powell, Wayne Parnell starts with a dot ball. It is a short ball, angled across the right-hander. Rovman Powell throws the kitchen sink at it but misses. The umpire signals first bouncer. |
| 10.2 : Wayne Parnell to Rovman Powell, WIDE! Oh no! It is full, wide of off. This one goes past the tramline. Wide called. |
| Wayne Parnell to Rovman Powell, SIX! SCORES LEVEL! Wayne Parnell gambles this time and pays the price. Short ball, on middle. Rovman Powell smokes it over the square leg fence. |
| 10.3 : Wayne Parnell to Rovman Powell, Rovman Powell plays a captain's knock here and gets his side over the line here. It is a full ball, on the pads. Powell clips it to mid-wicket and takes a single. West Indies win the match by 3 wickets. |
| WOW! Fireworks from the bat of Rovman Powell first, followed by some fireworks across the stadium to celebrate this incredible victory for West Indies. The hosts take an early lead in this T20I series. |
| A terrific run chase by West Indies as they win by 3 wickets with 3 balls to spare. Chasing 133 was going to be tough against the strong South African attack, that too in just 11 overs, but King and Mayers started off in a fine fashion. King in particular was impressive as he pummeled 23 off just 8 balls and the Windies got 34 in the first two overs. Johnson Charles played an important knock of 28 off 14 in the middle but it was the inning of Rovman Powell 43* off 18 that changed the momentum i |
| Anrich Nortje was the pick of the bowlers for his economical spell, where he conceded just 17 off his 3 overs with a wicket to his name. Magala bowled a fine 19th over but the rest of the bowlers were taken for a plenty and West Indies came out on top in this first T20I as they lead 1-0. |
| Earlier in the day, we were off to a late start, thanks to the rain gods. Although it only made things more enticing as the match got reduced to a 11 overs match, each side. South Africa got to 132 for 8 on the back of David Millerâs 48 off 22 with Magala, Hendricks and Markram playing handy little cameos. The West Indies bowlers kept it tight for the first 7 overs but leaked aplenty in the final three and allowed Proteas to get over 130. Cottrell and Smith took 2 wickets each while the res |
| Stay tuned for the presentation... |
| Aiden Markram, the captain of South Africa says it was a close game and went down to the wire. Adds that they were poor the start of both batting and bowling innings and they managed to scrape through to around 130. Mentions that they have plenty of positives as the bowlers did a fine job. Reckons that they have a few areas to improve upon and they will look to rectify in the next game. Closes by saying that they will have to come back better and do well in the second game. |
| The West Indies' skipper, Rovman Powell, is also the Man of the Match for his match-winning knock. He starts by saying that he is really pleased with his effort. Mentions that he was respectful while facing the seamer in the first ball. Adds that a lot of guys in the team are used to the T10 format and that certainly helped them. Informs that you just need two of your batters to go long and that does help a lot. States that they just need to focus on the basics and ride with the momentum. |
| Right then, that's it from the coverage of this game. The second game of this 3-match T20I series will be played tomorrow i.e. 26th March, Sunday, at the same venue. The game will begin at 5.30 pm IST (12.00 pm GMT). As always, you can join in early for the build up. Until then, take care and good bye! |
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