An entertaining series opener in Tarouba has culminated with an unrelenting blitz from Alick Athanaze, Shai Hope, and most of all, Nicholas Pooran, as the West Indies have notched up a thumping victory against the Proteas.

Rain pushed back the start by an hour, but Rovman Powell had opted to bowl first on a two-paced trickster of a pitch. The Windies got immediate results, as Ryan Rickelton nicked off in the second over. Aiden Markram would briefly threaten with a few boundaries, but the quest for quick runs brought about his downfall as well. Reeza Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen both departed cheaply, and SA were 4 down just after the Powerplay.

The situation only worsened, as Akeal Hosein struck to remove Donovan Ferreira in the 8th over. However, a 71-run stand between Tristan Stubbs and Patrick Kruger would script a barnstorming comeback in the second half of the innings.

Kruger was initially the aggressor; he took on Roston Chase for a 6 and a 4 in his first over, and punished Romario Shepherd a couple of overs later. Only following his dismissal would Stubbs open up and accelerate.

It was a well-paced innings from the talented 24-year-old. The hard-hitting right-hander would notch up his second T20I half-century as well as his personal best in this format. The final two overs went for 42, and all of a sudden, SA had a competitive total on the board at halftime.

But the happiness for the South Africans would remain brief. Following a quiet opening over, WI openers Alick Athanaze and Shai Hope unleashed a barrage of ruthless strokeplay to leave the relatively inexperienced Proteas bowlers searching for respite.

The Powerplay went for 75, and Ottneil Baartman finally got the visitors a breakthrough two overs later. However, it only looked like modest damage control, as the arrival of Nicholas Pooran at No 3 would completely dash the slightest of hopes.

The classy left-hander was severe on any and all mistakes from the bowlers, whether it was pace or spin. The highlight of his unbeaten 65 from 26 was his 4 consecutive maximums off Nandre Burger. His range of shots was on full display today, and no bowler escaped unhurt.

Baartman returned to trap Shai Hope LBW, and Kwena Maphaka, the youngest ever Proteas debutant, got his first international wicket of captain Powell towards the very end of the chase.

But with all things considered, it was the Windies’ day. Apart from slacking off with the ball in the second half of the Proteas’ innings, it was, in many ways, a comprehensive all-round show.

Tune in for the 2nd T20I on Sunday.

SA 174/7 in 20 overs (Stubbs 76, Kruger 44 – Forde 4-0-27-3)

WI 176/2 (Pooran 65*, Hope 51, Athanaze 40 – Baartman 4-0-30-2)