Romario Shepherd and Shamar Joseph delivered match-winning performances as West Indies clinched the T20 International series against South Africa with a stunning 30-run victory at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Sunday.
The home side’s bowling attack, led by Shepherd and Joseph, triggered a dramatic middle-order collapse, securing an unassailable 2-0 series lead with one match remaining.
The West Indies posted a solid total of 179 for six in their 20 overs, and then their bowlers, led by Shepherd and Joseph, dismantled South Africa’s middle order to bowl them out for 149 with just two balls to spare.
South Africa had appeared on course to level the series, getting off to a flying start in their run chase. Openers Ryan Rickelton (20) and Reeza Hendricks, who top-scored with 44 off 18 balls, propelled the visitors to 63 in under five overs. Hendricks was particularly brutal on off-spinner Roston Chase, smashing him for two sixes and two fours in a single over that leaked 23 runs.
Initial breakthrough
However, West Indies clawed their way back into the game through Joseph and Shepherd. Joseph made the initial breakthrough, removing Rickelton, caught at deep backward square by Matthew Forde. Shepherd then struck the crucial blow by dismissing Hendricks, who had already hit six fours and two sixes, as he dragged a wide delivery onto his stumps, leaving South Africa at 71-2 in the sixth over.
Despite losing their top order, South Africa remained in control with a 43-run partnership between Tristan Stubbs and Rassie van der Dussen, carrying them to 129-3 after 14 overs. But what followed was a dramatic collapse, as South Africa lost their last seven wickets for just 20 runs.
Stubbs was caught at long off by substitute fielder Fabien Allen for 28 off Akeal Hosein, and five runs later, Donovan Ferreira was stumped off Gudakesh Motie’s bowling as South Africa faltered to 134 for five. Hosein also claimed the wicket of van der Dussen (17), and Bjorn Fortuin was bowled by Joseph, leaving the visitors at 144 for seven in the 17th over.
Seal the win
Shepherd returned to secure his third wicket, dismissing Patrick Kruger, and Joseph and Forde wrapped up the tail to seal the win. Shepherd finished with impressive figures of 3-15 from his four overs, while Joseph recorded his best T20 figures of 3-31. Hosein also contributed with 2-25.
Earlier, after being sent in to bat, West Indies got off to a steady start with openers Alick Athanaze (28) and Shai Hope (41) putting on 41 runs. However, after their dismissals, the run rate slowed, with Nicholas Pooran (19) and Roston Chase (7) struggling to find momentum. Captain Rovman Powell (35) and Sherfane Rutherford (29) revived the innings with a 47-run partnership in the final overs, helping West Indies reach 179 for six.
Lizaad Williams was the pick of the South African bowlers with 3-36, while Kruger chipped in with 2-29.
The victory gave West Indies a 2-0 series lead, securing the series with one game on Tuesday remaining.
