South Africa secured a 3-2 series victory with a 25-run win in the final T20I against the defending T20 World Champions the Windies.
The Proteas have sealed the 3-2 T20I series victory against the West Indies through a solid all-round show at St. George’s. After choosing to bat first, Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock rebuilt rather briskly after Temba Bavuma’s dismissal, and their 128-run partnership was instrumental in posting a strong total.
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Despite another death-overs struggle, they managed to reach a respectable 168 for 4 in their 20-over allotment. It was in line with the first-innings scores of the previous games, and it required a stellar bowling effort to defend.
Evin Lewis began crisply as usual for the hosts, but George Linde trapped Lendl Simmons lbw in the third over. The early inroad was key for SA, but Lewis continued to counterattack when there was pace on the ball.
However, the introduction of Tabraiz Shamsi, the Proteas’ wrist-spinner extraordinaire, tilted the balance back in favour of the visitors. A tight first over was followed up with the big wicket of Chris Gayle on the first ball of his next over.
One of the more refreshing sights to see was Lungi Ngidi creating a priceless breakthrough. Evin Lewis took a particular liking to his bowling all series but finally mistimed one to Aiden Markram at long-off after reaching a sprightly half-century.
Shimron Hetmyer struggled to get going, and Kieron Pollard tweaked his hamstring while running. Just when both began to cut loose, South Africa made sure that the fireworks were short-lived.
Wiaan Mulder did well to take the pace off under pressure, and Pollard holed out to long-off, too. But to make the situation even better, the dangerous Andre Russell reached out to a wider delivery and sliced a straightforward catch to Ngidi at backward point.
Then again, the game was far from over, since Nicholas Pooran joined Hetmyer at the crease. Another miserly over of just 2 runs to round off Shamsi’s impeccable spell followed by a skilful final over from Mulder piled on the pressure for the Windies.
Ngidi’s reintroduction brought about the wicket of Hetmyer, who was just beginning to find his range. He connected well off a full, straight delivery, but picked out Miller at long-on to perfection.
Pooran hit two sixes to close out Ngidi’s third over to keep the hosts ever so slightly in the game, but Rabada’s final over slammed the door rather emphatically. Both Bravo and Pooran skied desperate attempts at big shots to give their wickets, and Ngidi completed the job for the Proteas with his change-ups in the final over.
All in all, there was lots to appreciate. There were questions over the Proteas’ death bowling tactics, but today’s effort towards the back end of the chase deserves recognition. There still are areas to iron out, but this series win serves as a priceless confidence boost amid the scheme of things at the moment.
Lungi Ngidi played all 5 games despite struggling all series, but looked to be on a path to redemption today, as he dismissed two dangerous hitters. Wiaan Mulder played his second T20I today, and has already shown potential as a handy pace-off option. Stay tuned for the player-by-player analysis tomorrow.
SA 168/4 in 20 overs
WI 143/9 in 20 overs (Lewis 52, Hetmyer 33 – Ngidi 4-0-32-3, Rabada 4-0-24-2, Mulder 4-0-31-2, Shamsi 4-0-11-1)
