Following a drubbing at the hands of the Proteas in the two-match Test series, the Caribbean team came roaring back to form in a format where they feel comfortable. Courtesy impressive bowling performance from Fabian Allen and a breezy knock of 71 by Evin Lewis, the hosts thrashed South Africa by 8 wickets to g0 1-0 up in 5-match T20I series. With the resounding defeat, the T20I skipper Temba Bavuma has to ponder upon the team selection that backfired.
Before the start of this match, West Indies had previously chased down 160 plus scores in home conditions only once, but on this occasion, they chased down the target of 161 runs with 5 overs to spare.
After winning the toss, Windies skipper Kieron Pollard put the Proteas into bat first. The skipper introduced the spinners right from the word go and though Kevin Sinclair conceded a few boundaries, Fabian Allen put the brakes on the Proteas as he bagged the wicket of Reeza Hendricks after a breezy start from the visitors. He bowled with guile and bamboozled the South African batting line-up with his impressive spell of 2/18 in his 4 overs spell.
Quinton de Kock looked comfortable during his stay at the crease but was eventually dismissed on 37 of 24 deliveries by Andre Russell. Rassie van der Dussen was South Africa’s top scorer as he stroked his way to a half-century as wickets fell around him. He struck 4 fours and a couple of sixes during his knock of 56 of 38 deliveries and was instrumental in taking the visitors overs the 160 mark. Allen and Dwayne Bravo were the pick of the bowlers with a couple of wickets each.
The sort of start Evin Lewis and Andre 'Spiceman' Fletcher provided to the hosts was more of a statement to the opposition about what they are capable of especially in this format. Both looked in a complete murderous mood and raced off to an 85-run opening partnership in just 7 overs before the dismissal of Fletcher but by then the match was almost done and dusted.
The hosts were bolstered by the return of Chris Gayle and Andre Russell and the two champion match-winner didn’t disappoint their fans. Gayle was at his usual self taking his time early on and then pressing on the launchpad. Evin Lewis on the other hand didn’t spare any of the South African bowlers and blew them away with an unbeaten knock of 71 of 35 deliveries.
Lewis was eventually dismissed by Tabraiz Shamsi in the 12th over but the hosts needed just 30 odd runs at that time. It was the big man Gayle and 'Muscle' Russell who sealed the deal with 5 overs to spare. While Gayle remained unbeaten on 32, Russell was batting on 23 when the victory target was reached.