The Proteas won by 3 wickets in a reduced match, booking a place in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2024.
| June 24, 2024 at 12:30 PM
In a gripping virtual quarterfinal match of the 2024 T20 World Cup at Antiguaโs Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, South Africa secured a thrilling three-wicket victory over co-hosts West Indies. This win extended South Africaโs unbeaten run in the tournament and knocked West Indies out of the semifinals race.
West Indies’ innings got off to a rocky start, with Marco Jansen striking in the very first ball of the match to dismiss Shai Hope for a duck. The Proteas skipper, Aiden Markram, added to West Indies’ woes by removing the in-form Nicholas Pooran in his opening over.
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Despite the early blows, Kyle Mayers led a spirited recovery for West Indies. Along with Roston Chase, Mayers formed a crucial 81-run partnership for the third wicket. Mayersโ aggressive approach complemented Chaseโs steadiness, helping West Indies regain control.
Just as West Indies seemed to stabilize, South African spinners Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi turned the game around. Shamsiโs spell of 3-27 included key wickets in three successive overs, while Maharajโs stumping of Rovman Powell initiated a dramatic middle-order collapse.
Andre Russell and Alzarri Joseph provided a late surge, hitting several sixes in the death overs. Their efforts pushed West Indies to a respectable 135-8 on a challenging pitch, offering their bowlers something to defend.
Rain interruptions led to a revised target of 123 runs from 17 overs for South Africa. However, their chase began on a disastrous note, with Andre Russell removing both openers, Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks, in just the second over.
Russellโs fiery spell left South Africa at 2-2 early in their innings. His ability to generate pace and bounce troubled the Proteas, setting up an intriguing contest.
Heinrich Klaasen played a pivotal role in rescuing South Africa from a precarious position. His 10-ball 22 included three boundaries and a six, while Tristan Stubbsโ composed 29 runs at nearly a run-a-ball steadied the innings.
Roston Chase brought West Indies back into contention with a crucial three-wicket burst. His performance tightened the match, reducing South Africa to 110-7 in the 15th over and setting up a thrilling finish.
With the game hanging in the balance, tail-enders Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada displayed remarkable composure. Jansenโs 21* off 14 balls and Rabadaโs steady support guided South Africa to a narrow victory with five balls to spare.
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ICC 2024 T20 World CupICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024ICC Menโs T20 World CupSA vs WISouth Africa vs West IndiesSuper EightT20 World Cup 2024West Indies vs South AfricaWI vs SARohit Sharma on being asked if England were rightly awarded the World Cup title in 2019
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