West Indies levelled the series with a comfortable five-wicket win against South Africa in the third and last T20I of the series. A disciplined effort from West Indies restricted South Africa to 80/9 in 20 overs – a target that got chased down in 11.5 overs. The action now shifts to five-match ODI series, the first of which starts on 7 September.
Dane van Niekerk won the toss and opted to bat. Chinelle Henry got van Niekerk for a golden duck. Exactly an over later, Aaliyah Alleyne got Lizelle Lee and Marizanne Kapp with consecutive balls to reduce South Africa to 9/3.
There was no respite for South Africa as Laura Wolvaardt got run out. South Africa’s famed top four was back inside four overs. There was little resistance thereafter. A 20-run partnership between Tazmin Brits (16) and Sune Luus (23) for the fifth wicket was the highest in the innings.
Karishma Ramharack was the pick of the bowlers. She conceded just eight runs off three overs and took three wickets.
West Indies lost Hayley Matthews early, but Deandra Dottin and Kyshona Knight added 53 runs for the second wicket to win the game for West Indies. Dottin made 31 off 21 before getting run-out, while Knight edged one to Trisha Chetty on 26.
Brief scores: South Arica 80/9 in 20 overs (Sune Luus 23; Karishma Ramharack 3-8) lost to West Indies 81/5 in 11.5 overs (Deandra Dottin 31; Dane van Niekerk 2-8) by 5 wickets with 49 balls to spare. Player of the match: Karishma Ramharack.