An intense battle at Johannesburg culminated in an eventful finish and a Super Over cliffhanger, in which the West Indies emerged as winners.

Inclement weather reduced the contest to 41 overs per team. The West Indies sent the Proteas in to bat first, and a 53-run opening partnership between Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits provided a bright start for the home side. However, the early progress was undone rather quickly when medium-pacer Chinelle Henry sent back both openers in successive overs.

Suné Luus produced a well-compiled captain’s knock and top-scored for SA. Unfortunately, she fell short of her half-century. From then on, the WI bowlers were on a roll, as the SA middle and lower order was in free fall. A slightly precarious situation at 120/5 quickly worsened to 160 all out.

It was a well-rounded bowling effort from the West Indies, with all 10 wickets evenly distributed across all 5 bowlers.

Defending a rather slim total was always going to be a challenge, but it was game on right from the get-go. Masabata Klaas sent back Rashada Williams in only the second over, and Ayabonga Khaka dismissed Kycia Knight in the 7th over.

Despite two early wickets, Deandra Dottin remained unfazed and mercilessly counterattacked. Two overs later, however, Khaka bowled Dottin, and that brought the Proteas right back into contention.

Khaka continued to impress and took the wicket of the dangerous Hayley Matthews. At 49/4, the West Indies were clearly struggling, but still had more than adequate batting left. Luus brought herself into the attack and her leg-spin accounted for another two key wickets, leaving the visitors at 83/6.

It was a dire situation for both teams, but Chedean Nation calmly kept the bowlers at bay, and found viable support in Chinelle Henry. The 54-run partnership between them was worth its weight in gold, as momentum shifted back toward the Windies.

In another twist of events, the reintroduction of Khaka brought forth an important double-strike in successive deliveries, and all of a sudden, WI needed 24 with two wickets in hand.

All three results were possible, but Nation continued to frustrate the bowlers until Klaas claimed her wicket when she holed out to Lara Goodall.

With 3 to get and one wicket remaining, it was a white-knuckle final few overs. Remarkably, Shabnim Ismail returned to trap Shakera Selman LBW when the scores were level.

That final wicket forced a Super Over, and the Windies had to swing for the hills.

Ayabonga Khaka was the pick of the Proteas bowlers with her second ODI 5-wicket haul.

Ismail was trusted with bowling the six pressure-packed deliveries. Unfortunately, Deandra Dottin was very much in the mood and carted her for two fours and a six, and Hayley Matthews finished it off with aplomb with a maximum of her own. South Africa needed 26 to win.

Matthews bowled the Super Over for the West Indies, and her first ball was sent into the stands by Chloe Tryon. But in the end, it was too much to chase down in the next 5 deliveries, and Tazmin Brits could only manage 10 from the next 3 balls.

The West Indies now have a 1-0 lead after two games, and be sure to tune in for the next game on Thursday.

SA 160 (Luus 46 – Shamilia Connell 8-0-22-2)

WI 160* (Dottin 37, Nation 35 – Khaka 8-1-26-5)

*WI won Super Over