ICC Men’s Twenty20 World Cup co-hosts West Indies drew first blood in their warm-up series against South Africa with a 28-run win yesterday in Jamaica.
Interim captain Brandon King and left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie delivered standout performances to secure the victory.
King, leading the Caribbean side in the absence of regular captain Rovman Powell, who is involved in the Indian Premier League, hit six sixes and six fours in an electrifying 79 from 45 balls. The hosts reached 175 for eight after being put in to bat in the first T20I of the three-match series at Sabina Park.
Motie then countered a career-best 87 off 51 balls from South African opener Reeza Hendricks, taking three for 25 from his allotted four overs. South Africa was dismissed for 147 in 19.5 overs, despite Hendricks’ efforts.
Forde ended with three for 27 from 2.5 overs
Pacer Matthew Forde ended with three for 27 from 2.5 overs, and lanky left-arm pacer Obed McCoy finished with two for 15 from three overs, completing the demolition of the Proteas batting line-up. No South African batsman other than Hendricks reached 20.
With half of their World Cup squad missing due to IPL commitments or resting, the result was a positive step for the Caribbean side aiming to clinch a third T20 world title on home soil.
“There are still a few areas of concern for the home team to tidy up in the remaining two matches on Saturday and Sunday at the same venue, but King erasing concerns about his fitness, and Motie proving his usefulness in the middle of the innings were satisfying,” King said during a post-play interview on TV.
King opened the innings aggressively
King opened the innings aggressively, reducing his typically aggressive opening partner Johnson Charles to a mere spectator. Charles faced only five balls before being caught at deep square leg for one. The Power Play ended with West Indies at 64 for one.
King continued to dominate, bringing up his 50 from 26 balls, and formed a solid partnership with Kyle Mayers, carrying the Caribbean side to 109 for one at the halfway stage. However, King was caught at short extra cover for a miscued drive, leading to a collapse where the hosts lost seven wickets for 66 runs in the second half of the innings.
Phehlukwayo was the pick of the South Africa bowlers with three for 26 from his four overs, and Baartman ended with three for 28.
In response, South Africa faced an early setback when Forde had Quinton de Kock caught behind for four with the second ball of the chase. Roston Chase and Shamar Joseph further dented the chase, leaving South Africa at 46 for three.
Despite resistance from Rassie van der Dussen and Hendricks, Motie trapped van der Dussen lbw for 17, opening the floodgates. Only Hendricks offered any substantial resistance as South Africa crumbled.
