West Indies Thrash South Africa
Aug. 26, 2024, 4:12 a.m.
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West Indies Thrash South Africa in Record T20 Chase: Pooran, Forde, and Athanaze Star in Victory

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West Indies pulled off an extraordinary performance in the first T20I, chasing down 174 with ease to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series against South Africa. Led by Nicholas Pooran’s explosive unbeaten 65 and a disciplined bowling performance from Matthew Forde, the hosts completed their highest-ever successful T20I chase at the Brian Lara Academy, winning by seven wickets with 13 balls to spare.

South Africa's Struggles Early On

Opting to bowl first, West Indies capitalized on a strong start, reducing South Africa to 42 for 5 after eight overs. The Proteas were on the back foot almost immediately after a three-run opening over by Akeal Hosein. Matthew Forde struck first by dismissing Ryan Rickelton, who toe-ended a wide ball straight to Nicholas Pooran.

Aiden Markram briefly countered with some aggressive shots, including a reverse sweep and pull shot off Hosein. However, his innings ended when he mistimed a shot off Forde, lobbing a catch to Gudakesh Motie. Reeza Hendricks continued his poor form, as he edged Shamar Joseph’s first ball to deep third, leaving South Africa in deeper trouble.

Tristan Stubbs and Kruger Lead Fightback

With South Africa in tatters at 42 for 5, it was Tristan Stubbs and Patrick Kruger who mounted a recovery with a 71-run partnership off 50 balls. Stubbs, known for his aggressive stroke play, initially played a more subdued role, accumulating just 13 off his first 16 balls. It wasn’t until he launched Motie over long-on for a huge six that he began to accelerate.

Kruger, supporting Stubbs well, played some crisp shots but was eventually dismissed after scoring 44. Stubbs, however, continued to dominate, smashing successive boundaries and reaching his fifty off 33 balls. His late flourish included 23 runs off the final six deliveries he faced, bringing South Africa to a competitive total of 174 for 7.

West Indies Make a Fast Start

In response, West Indies never looked in trouble, thanks to an aggressive start from openers Shai Hope and Alick Athanaze. Though it took ten balls to find the first boundary, Athanaze soon launched Fortuin over long leg for six, and from that point on, the floodgates opened. Hope, in equally good form, sent Baartman over long-off for six, and the pair added a blistering 75 runs during the powerplay.

Athanaze’s power-hitting was a highlight, as he plundered 20 runs in one over off Nandre Burger, hitting two sixes over deep square leg and a beautiful late cut for four. Markram’s decision to bowl himself in the powerplay backfired, with Hope taking 21 runs off the over, including two massive sixes. The West Indies openers set a strong platform by adding 84 off just 49 balls.

Pooran’s Explosive Finish

With West Indies needing 70 from 54 balls, Nicholas Pooran took it upon himself to finish the game quickly. When Burger returned to the attack in the 12th over, Pooran unleashed a flurry of sixes, hitting four consecutive balls out of the park. He dispatched Burger’s slower ball over long-off for a 77-meter six and followed it up with another towering hit over midwicket.

Two more deliveries saw Pooran clear the boundary again, leaving West Indies needing just 45 from 48 balls. Despite losing a couple of wickets, West Indies maintained control, and Roston Chase hit the winning boundary, sealing the victory with 13 balls remaining.

South Africa's Young Bowling Attack Struggles

South Africa’s bowling lineup, missing key players like Lungi Ngidi due to a calf strain, struggled against West Indies’ batting firepower. They fielded their youngest-ever debutant, 18-year-old Kwena Maphaka, who picked up his first international wicket by dismissing Rovman Powell. However, by the time Powell was caught, West Indies needed just three runs to win.

The inexperience of the South African attack, combined with Pooran’s belligerent hitting, proved too much for the visitors. Pooran’s 65 off 26 balls, including four successive sixes, took the game out of South Africa’s reach.



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