South Africa overcame rain and a strong, late resistance from West Indies to surge into the semifinal of the T20 World Cup after 10 long years. Chasing a modest target of 136, which was reduced to 123 off 17 overs due to rain, South Africa were on top at one stage before suffering a collapse. While there were concerns they might end up falling short in a big World Cup again, the lower order bailed them out right at the end to seal their spot in the final 4.
Where was the game won?
The middle overs. The last thing you need while defending a low total is being erratic. That coupled with a bit of ill luck meant West Indies fell behind. While they didn’t score a lot in the middle overs, West Indies ended up conceding many boundaries, few off edges and also bowled a few wides that only made things easier for the South Africans. Those costly errors ensured South Africa had enough in the tank to pull through despite the late wobble.
West Indies
Powerplay: An eventful beginning
Phase Score: 47/2 (RR: 7.83, 4s/6s: 4/2)
South Africa made the ideal start. Shai Hope, who had decimated the United States in the last game was out for a duck this time as he hit one straight to the fielder in the very first over. The breeze then accounted for Nicholas Pooran’s wicket as he got caught at long off in the second over of the game. With two wickets in the first seven balls, South Africa seized early control of the game. Aiden Markram was also getting the ball to turn square on occasions, signalling a tough evening for the home side. However, in the same powerplay, West Indies managed to recover. Kyle Mayers, playing his first game after coming into the squad in place of Brandon King, took time to settle down but Roston Chase showed immediate intent. He swept Keshav Maharaj for a six to race to 20 and Mayers at the other end rounded off the powerplay with his first six.
Middle overs: West Indies lose control
Phase Score: 50/3 (RR: 5.55, 4s/6s – 2/2)
Another tale of two halves. South Africa kept bowling spin understandably on this surface but both Chase and Mayers kept the scorecard ticking at a steady rate. There were also a few release shots every now and then. Mayers hit a six off Markram straight down the ground that saw a dangerous collision between Kagiso Rabada and Jansen. Chase then slog-swept Shamsi for a six to lay the platform for the West Indies. However, Shamsi and Maharaj turned things around in this phase by picking crucial wickets. Mayers was the first to depart, which was followed by Rovman Powell getting stumped. From 86/2, they slipped to 94/5 in quick time when Sherfane Rutherford edged Shamsi to slip.
Death overs: The run-out that made a difference
Phase Score: 38/3 (RR: 7.6, 4s/6s: 2/3)
Chase, who had helped himself to a half-century, was the key for West Indies going into the death overs alongside Andre Russell. However, West Indies received another massive blow when Chase threw it away despite the flurry of wickets at the other end as he tried taking on Shamsi, only to mistime one and get caught. South Africa went back to pace for the final four overs and Russell gave the home fans plenty of hope by clubbing Anrich Nortje for back-to-back sixes. But his desperate attempt to farm strike against Kagiso Rabada in the following over cost him his wicket as he was caught short of his crease by a direct-hit. The tail dragged West Indies 135 – about 15 short of what they could’ve got had Russell made his ground.
South Africa
Powerplay: Wickets, Rain, Runs
Phase Score: 41/2 (RR: 8.2, 4s/6s – 7/0)
Quinton de Kock gave West Indies fans a huge scare in the opening over as he took on Akeal Hosein for three boundaries inside the first four deliveries. But the pendulum swung immediately in the second over as Russell got rid of both the openers. Reeza Hendricks edged a delivery down the leg side to fall for a golden duck whereas de Kock mistimed one to get caught at deep backward square leg. In another twist, rain arrived to shorten the game as the target got revised to 123 from 17 overs. Post resumption, the pressure on South Africa was released as a result of poor bowling from Hosein who continued to leak boundaries.
Middle overs: South Africa nudge ahead
Phase Score: 59/3 (RR: 7.37, 4s/6s: 6/1)
While Aiden Markram perished immediately after the powerplay, South Africa’s chances only went up after that dismissal. West Indies were too erratic on an evening where they couldn’t afford to be. Alzarri Joseph bowled a bouncer that went for five wides and South Africa fetched three successive boundaries that came off edges. Prior to that, Heinrich Klaasen hammered Gudakesh Motie for a six as well. Those boundaries brought the required rate below six. Joseph did give West Indies some hope with a snorter to send Klaasen back to the pavilion but yet again the pressure was released at the other end as Obed McCoy bowled a very poor first over. Joseph and Russell delivered two tight overs to create some pressure and David Miller was the casualty as a result of that as Chase castled him.
Death overs: Nervy SA get the job done
Phase Score: 24/1 (RR: 7.57, 4s/6s: 1/1)
South Africa were at the risk of being swallowed by pressure in virtual knockout World Cup game agin as they found ways to mess up. Needing 23 from 24, Tristan Stubbs attempted a slog sweep but only managed to mistime it to give West Indies a way back. Keshav Maharaj made it worse by trying to heave one and get caught at long off. However, Kagiso Rabada released the pressure with a boundary over extra cover that brought the equation down to 5 off 6. Marco Jansen then delivered the knockout blow as he slammed a six straight over McCoy’s head first ball of that final over to seal the deal.
Brief scores: West Indies 135/8 in 20 overs (Roston Chase 52, Kyle Mayers 35; Tabraiz Shamsi 3/27) lost to South Africa 124/7 in 16.1 overs (Tristan Stubbs 29; Roston Chase 3/12, Andre Russell 2/19) by 3 wickets(Target reduced to 123 in 17 overs)
What’s next?
With that, the campaign ends for the West Indies. It’s been a memorable one for them playing in front of packed crowds at different venues and producing some good cricket but they fell just short of their attempt to reach the semis. South Africa’s seventh straight win in the competition has ensured they join England in the final four. They will now wait for the results from the other group to determine their opponents.
