Nqaba Peter and Roston Chase claimed centre stage as the West Indies posted a daunting total of 207-7 after choosing to bat first in the second of three T20 Internationals against South Africa at Sabina Park in Jamaica on Saturday.
21-year-old Peter’s 2-32 on debut was outstanding but outshone by the West Indian vice-captain’s maiden T20I half-century as he finished unbeaten on 67 from just 38 balls with seven fours and two sixes.
Bringing his T20I best today!💥
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) May 25, 2024
How good was Motie with the ball?🔥#WIREADY #WIvSA pic.twitter.com/wnBmePL4my
Opener Johnson Charles (7) heaved Bjorn Fortuin to Ryan Rickelton at deep midwicket in the fourth over but the hosts were well placed at 54-1 in the seventh over before Peter struck twice to bring the tourists back into the contest.
An unbeaten half century to push the 1st innings total over 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣.👏🏿#WIREADY #WIvSA pic.twitter.com/mxjd4yTLCk
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) May 25, 2024
Brandon King’s 36 from 22 balls ended with catch to Wiaan Mulder on the long on boundary while Kyle Mayers’ sweep was pouched by Rickelton at deep backward square leg ending a ferocious innings of 32 from 16 balls with two four and three sixes.
Andre Fletcher belted 29 from 18 balls before, obscurely, not reviewing an lbw appeal by Andile Phehlukwayo which looked decidedly leg-side but Romario Shepherd (26 from 13 balls) straight drove Phehlukwayo (3-0-51-2) for three consecutive sixes at the start of the 19th over to reclaim control of the innings.
WI WIN & the series is ours!🙌🏾
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) May 25, 2024
What a performance from the boys today.👏🏾 #WIREADY #WIvSA pic.twitter.com/nZ9bnjrZc2
Left arm spinner Fortuin (4-0-21-1) was outstanding but Anrich Nortje’s sketchy IPL form showed no signs of improving with four overs costing 47 runs. Lungi Ngidi again bowled in the Power Play and the final over in which he claimed two consolation wickets to finish with 2-41.
The host nation won the first game on Thursday by 28-runs with King blasting 79 from 45-balls to set up a total of 175-8 before South Africa were bowled out for 147 despite a brilliant 87 from 51 balls (6x4, 6x6) from opener Reeza Hendricks.
Both teams are missing seven of their T20 World Cup squad members due to IPL commitments, injury or rest. Anrich replaces Gerald Coetzee in SA’s starting XI and legspinner Nqaba Peter makes his debut.
West Indies: Brandon King (captain), Johnson Charles, Kyle Mayers, Roston Chase, Andre Fletcher (wkt), Fabian Allen, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph, Obed McCoy
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wkt), Reeza Hendricks, Ryan Rickelton, Matthew Breetzke, Rassie van der Dussen (captain), Wiaan Mulder, Andile Phehlukwayo, Bjorn Fortuin, Nqaba Peter, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi