1st T20I, Centurion, March 25, 2023, 05:30 PM
131/8(11.0ov)
132/7(10.3ov)
West Indies beat South Africa by 3 wickets
Right then, that's it from the coverage of this game. The second game of this 3-match T20I series will be played tomorrow i.e. 26th March, Sunday, at the same venue. The game will begin at 5.30 pm IST (12.00 pm GMT). As always, you can join in early for the build up. Until then, take care and good bye!
The West Indies' skipper, Rovman Powell, is also the Man of the Match for his match-winning knock. He starts by saying that he is really pleased with his effort. Mentions that he was respectful while facing the seamer in the first ball. Adds that a lot of guys in the team are used to the T10 format and that certainly helped them. Informs that you just need two of your batters to go long and that does help a lot. States that they just need to focus on the basics and ride with the momentum.
Aiden Markram, the captain of South Africa says it was a close game and went down to the wire. Adds that they were poor the start of both batting and bowling innings and they managed to scrape through to around 130. Mentions that they have plenty of positives as the bowlers did a fine job. Reckons that they have a few areas to improve upon and they will look to rectify in the next game. Closes by saying that they will have to come back better and do well in the second game.
Stay tuned for the presentation...
Earlier in the day, we were off to a late start, thanks to the rain gods. Although it only made things more enticing as the match got reduced to a 11 overs match, each side. South Africa got to 132 for 8 on the back of David Miller’s 48 off 22 with Magala, Hendricks and Markram playing handy little cameos. The West Indies bowlers kept it tight for the first 7 overs but leaked aplenty in the final three and allowed Proteas to get over 130. Cottrell and Smith took 2 wickets each while the rest of the bowlers played the support role with one each.
Anrich Nortje was the pick of the bowlers for his economical spell, where he conceded just 17 off his 3 overs with a wicket to his name. Magala bowled a fine 19th over but the rest of the bowlers were taken for a plenty and West Indies came out on top in this first T20I as they lead 1-0.
A terrific run chase by West Indies as they win by 3 wickets with 3 balls to spare. Chasing 133 was going to be tough against the strong South African attack, that too in just 11 overs, but King and Mayers started off in a fine fashion. King in particular was impressive as he pummeled 23 off just 8 balls and the Windies got 34 in the first two overs. Johnson Charles played an important knock of 28 off 14 in the middle but it was the inning of Rovman Powell 43* off 18 that changed the momentum in West Indies favour and got them back into the game. West Indies needed 20 off the last 3 overs, Nortje and Magala were able to get it down to the final over. Wayne Parnell though gambled with the short balls and that costed them the game.
WOW! Fireworks from the bat of Rovman Powell first, followed by some fireworks across the stadium to celebrate this incredible victory for West Indies. The hosts take an early lead in this T20I series.
In over# 11
1
6
1wd
0
Wayne Parnell 25/0(1.3)
10.3
1
Rovman Powell plays a captain's knock here and gets his side over the line here. It is a full ball, on the pads. Powell clips it to mid-wicket and takes a single. West Indies win the match by 3 wickets.
10.2
6
SIX! SCORES LEVEL! Wayne Parnell gambles this time and pays the price. Short ball, on middle. Rovman Powell smokes it over the square leg fence.
10.2
1wd
WIDE! Oh no! It is full, wide of off. This one goes past the tramline. Wide called.
10.1
.
Wayne Parnell starts with a dot ball. It is a short ball, angled across the right-hander. Rovman Powell throws the kitchen sink at it but misses. The umpire signals first bouncer.
So, 8 runs needed in 6 balls. There is a pin-drop silence across the stadium now. Wayne Parnell to bowl the final over.
In over# 10
4
0
0W
0W
4
1
Sisanda Magala 21/3(2)
9.6
4
FOUR! A streaky boundary but West Indies will take it, does not matter how the runs come now. It is a short ball, down leg. Chase swings across the line. The ball flies off his gloves, over the keeper's head for four runs.
9.5
.
Is that out? Sisanda Magala certainly thinks he has got his Hat-Trick. Aiden Markram takes the review for catch. Coming to the delivery. It is a short ball, on middle and leg. Chase shuffles a touch and tries to heave it across the line. The ball lobs off his arms but Magala thinks he got some bat on it. Although, the UltraEdge confirms no bat is involved. No Hat-Trick for Magala.
Roston Chase is the new batter in.
9.4
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Sisanda Magala gets two wickets in two balls. Is there a twist in the tale? It is a short ball, on off. Akeal Hosein tries to pull it away but ends up getting a top-edge on it. The ball flies towards the short third man region. Quinton de Kock runs after it and takes a sharp catch. Sisanda Magala is on a Hat-Trick.
