Shai Hope and Nicholas Pooran’s explosive batting powered West Indies to a commanding eight-wicket victory over South Africa in the third T20 International at the Brian Lara Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, completing a 3-0 series sweep.
The duo’s blistering partnership secured the win with 22 balls to spare in a rain-shortened match.
Chasing a revised target of 116 in 13 overs after rain delays, the Caribbean side stormed to 116 for two off just 9.2 overs, securing their second whitewash of South Africa in two months.
Seized control
Rain delayed the start of the match by an hour, and play was further interrupted with South Africa at 23 without loss in the fifth over. Once the match resumed, reduced to 13 overs per side, West Indies immediately seized control. Spinner Akeal Hosein dismissed Reeza Hendricks, caught by Fabian Allen in the deep, to spark a shift in momentum.
South Africa struggled to accelerate their run rate, despite a 38-run partnership between Ryan Rickelton and captain Aiden Markram. Romario Shepherd made crucial breakthroughs, removing Markram for 20 as South Africa reached 61-2 in the 10th over. However, it was Tristan Stubbs who injected late energy into the innings, smashing 40 from just 15 balls, including five boundaries and three sixes, before being caught off Matthew Forde with two deliveries remaining. South Africa closed at 108-4.
Shepherd, named Player of the Match, was outstanding with the ball, picking up 2-14 from his two overs.
A ferocious assault
West Indies’ chase began with the early loss of Alick Athanaze, but Pooran’s arrival at the crease quickly swung the match in their favor. Pooran unleashed a ferocious assault, hammering two fours and four sixes in a rapid-fire 35 off just 13 balls. His onslaught began with a towering six off Bjorn Fortuin and continued with two more maximums off Lizaad Williams.
Hope, who was named Player of the Series for his consistent performances, joined in the fun by taking Kwena Maphaka for three sixes in an over that yielded 22 runs, propelling West Indies to 46-1 after just three overs.
While Baartman managed to dismiss Pooran, the damage had already been done. Shimron Hetmyer joined Hope, and the pair put together an unbeaten 56-run stand, with Hetmyer contributing 31 off 17 balls, including four boundaries and a six.
Hope finished the match in style, smashing Patrick Kruger over deep point for six, ending the contest on 42 not out from 24 deliveries, which included one four and four sixes. The victory, achieved with 22 balls to spare, secured West Indies’ 3-0 sweep of South Africa.
