In a pulsating encounter at Sabina Park on Saturday, West Indies secured a T20I series victory over South Africa with a 16-run win in the second match, thanks to standout performances from Roston Chase and Gudakesh Motie. The victory not only clinched the series but also boosted West Indies’ preparation for the upcoming ICC Twenty20 World Cup.
Opting to bat first, West Indies posted a formidable 207 for seven in their 20 overs. The backbone of the innings was a scintillating 38-ball 67 not out from Roston Chase, his maiden T20I half-century. The 32-year-old all-rounder smashed seven fours and two sixes, anchoring the innings through two crucial partnerships after the hosts stumbled early on.
Captain Brandon King gave the innings an explosive start, hitting 36 off 22 balls with two fours and three sixes. However, wickets fell at regular intervals with Johnson Charles (7) and Kyle Mayers (32) departing cheaply.
Chase’s patient start soon turned into a flurry of boundaries, forming a 56-run partnership with Andre Fletcher (29) and a 63-run stand with Romario Shepherd (26), who added valuable runs with three sixes in his 13-ball cameo. West Indies accelerated impressively in the last six overs, adding 80 runs to set a challenging target for South Africa.
Motie and team put South Africa in check
South Africa’s chase began with a blistering start. Openers Quinton de Kock (41) and Reeza Hendricks (34) put on 81 runs in just 5.2 overs, hitting boundaries at will and leaving West Indies scrambling. De Kock’s entertaining 17-ball innings featured four fours and four sixes, while Hendricks supported with two fours and three sixes.
The breakthrough came from Akeal Hosein, who bowled de Kock as the left-hander attempted a cut shot. Chase followed up by rattling Hendricks’ stumps with a faster delivery, dragging the home side back into contention.
Gudakesh Motie then delivered a match-winning spell, taking three for 22 in his four overs. His disciplined bowling, along with Shepherd and Chase’s economical spells, saw South Africa collapse from 81 without loss to 191 for seven by the end of their innings. Despite a valiant 30 from captain Rassie van der Dussen, South Africa could not maintain their early momentum.
Victory and series sealed
The victory was significant for West Indies, not only securing the series but also demonstrating their capability to recover and perform under pressure. Player-of-the-Match Chase and Motie were instrumental, with their performances highlighting the depth and resilience in the team.
Captain King, reflecting on the win, emphasized the importance of playing good cricket leading into the World Cup. “We are happy with the win and the all-round performance. It’s crucial to play good cricket as we prepare for the World Cup, and today’s game showed our ability to handle pressure and execute our plans.”
With this series win, West Indies have set a positive tone ahead of the ICC Twenty20 World Cup, reinforcing their reputation as strong contenders in the shortest format of the game.
Match Summary
West Indies 207-7 in 20 overs (Roston Chase 67*, Brandon King 36, Kyle Mayers 32; Andile Phehlukwayo 2-41, Nqabayomzi Peter 2-32)
South Africa 191-7 in 20 overs (Quinton de Kock 41, Reeza Hendricks 34, Rassie van der Dussen 30; Gudakesh Motie 3-22, Romario Shepherd 1-23, Roston Chase 1-26)
West Indies win by 16 runs and lead the series 2-0.
