South Africa beat West Indies by 16 runs on 27 June, in the second T20I at St George’s, Grenada. Temba Bavuma’s men levelled the five-match series 1-1 with the win.
After being asked to bat, Quinton de Kock (26 off 20) and Reeza Hendricks (42 off 30) got South Africa off to a decent start. The pair smashed a 73-run opening stand in just 41 balls before Kevin Sinclair (2-17) trapped de Kock leg before. Hendricks missed out a sixth T20I fifty when his attempted reverse-sweep off Sinclair went straight to Nicholas Pooran. The tourists were 96/2 in 10.2 overs.
Barring Bavuma, South Africa middle-order batters struggled to add runs on the board in the second half of the innings. David Miller (11), Rassie van der Dussen (2), Heinrich Klaasen (10) and George Linde (3) all departed cheaply.
Bavuma hit five fours and a six in his 33-ball 46 before Jason Holder (1-26) bowled him in the 17th over. South Africa only managed to score 21 runs for three wickets in the last four overs before closing on 166/7. Obed McCoy was the pick of the West Indies bowlers, with impressive figures of 3-25.
Coming to chase, Evin Lewis (21 off 16) and Andre Fletcher (35 off 36) gave West Indies another rousing start. However, West Indies could not keep the tempo going once Anrich Nortje (1-27) dismissed Lewis in the fourth over. Chris Gayle (8) did not last either. They were 40/2 at this point.
Once the Powerplay came to an end, left-arm spinners George Linde (2-19) and Tabraiz Shamsi (4-0-16-1) bowled six overs in tandem, gave away just 23 runs and picked up three wickets. West Indies were left reeling at 70/5 after 10.3 overs. Pooran (9), Kieron Pollard (1) and Andre Russell (5) all failed to touch double digits.
Fletcher struggled throughout his stay at the crease before he fell to Kagiso Rabada (3-37) in the 16th over. Fabian Allen (34 off 12) made a frantic effort, along with Holder (20), but the asking rate was way too high before they finished at 150/9.
With that, South Africa registered their maiden T20I win under Bavuma’s captaincy. This is the third time when they defended a total of 170 or less since the 2016 T20 World Cup.
Brief Scores:
South Africa 166/7 in 20 overs (Temba Bavuma 46; Obed McCoy 3-25) beat West Indies 150/9 in 20 overs (Andre Fletcher 35; Kagiso Rabada 3-37) by 16 runs. Player of the Match: George Linde.