South Africa moved a step closer to a T20 World Cup semi-final berth with a nine-wicket win over West Indies in the Super 8 match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday, extending their unbeaten run in the tournament.
The Proteas combined disciplined bowling with controlled batting to register a six-match winning streak while ending West Indies’ unbeaten run. The two points also strengthen India’s position in the group as a defeat by South Africa will complicate the hosts’ progress situation.
The defeat also affected West Indies’ net run-rate, which dropped from 5.350 to 1.791.
West Indies were reduced to 83 for 7 after being asked to bat, with Kagiso Rabada (2/22) and Lungi Ngidi (3/30) rushing through the West Indies front-mid order. The low partnership between Jason Holder (49 off 31) and Romario Shepherd (52 off 37) added 89 runs for the eighth wicket to help the team restore their score to 176 for eight.
In reply, South Africa chased down the target in 16.1 overs. Captain Aiden Markram remained unbeaten on 82 while Quinton de Kock smashed 47 and Ryan Rickelton not out on 45.
The chase came on a powerplay basis, with South Africa scoring 69 runs in six overs. De Kock and Markram scored 95 runs in 7.5 overs, hitting 16 boundaries, including six sixes. De Kock hit four sixes and four fours in his 24-ball innings before being caught by Holder at long delivery. Markram scored 50 runs off Gudakesh Motie’s single and later shared an unbeaten 82-run stand with Rickelton. He ended the match with a straight boundary.
“We actually played really well and obviously the power play was a big thing for us to be able to get it done. With Queenie [set things up]”, said Markram, who was named the man of the match.
“The second game was really good, it was a little cheesy at the beginning, and the guys played well from the start.”
Early on, West Indies got off to a fast start. Shai Hope (16 off 6) hit two sixes and a four off Keshav Maharaj, while Brandon King (21 off 11) attacked Marco Jansen as the team reached 29 runs in two overs.
Rabada took away Hope who was being chased while fishing outside. Shimron Hetmyer (2) was dropped by Corbin Bosch at midfield but was dismissed three goals later on a mistake by Rabada. Ngidi then dismissed King and Roston Chase (2) in the fourth over as West Indies won 44-4.
Sherfane Rutherford (12) hit Bosch for six but the next ball fell and the top edge fell to de Kock. Ngidi’s third wicket came off Rovman Powell (9), reducing the team to 71 for 6 runs. Matthew Forde (11) later fell to Bose after hitting a six.
Holder and Shepard subsequently rebuilt. Holder bowled Jansen for 22 before being dismissed on the penultimate ball of the innings. Shepard continued to ensure a competitive overall finish.
“Losing so many wickets in the powerplay cost us. We were 40-50 behind. Gotta give credit to the guys in the bottom half for giving us a chance, never knowing things were going to turn out the way,” Hope said.
“The way we play cricket, there are always failures and the aim is to get out early. The next game will be the quarter-finals.”