South Africa kept their nerve to secure a place in the T20 World Cup semi-finals at the expense of West Indies, three wickets ahead, via DLS method in Antigua on Monday.
The rain-hit encounter ended with Marco Jansen swatting a crucial game-winning six off the first delivery of the last over, taking South Africa to 123 adjusted targets and progressing as Group 2 leaders along with England.
Tabraiz Shamsi was key for the Proteas as he helped limit West Indies to 135/8 by taking 3-27 before rain stopped play. South Africa then achieved the new target with five balls remaining.
Roston Chase took three quick wickets towards the end of proceedings and ignited hopes for West Indies but South Africa held their nerve in a tense finish.
The final two semi-final places will be determined on Monday when India plays against Australia in St Lucia and Afghanistan faces Bangladesh in St Vincent to complete this stage of Super Eight.
After winning toss, South Africa elected to field first. They made an immediate impression as Shai Hope and Nicholas Pooran were dismissed within two overs leaving West Indies struggling at 5/2. Kyle Mayers who joined the squad late due to an injury replacement anchored Roston Chase for a lucrative third-wicket partnership that scored over half century runs (81).
In addition to this, Chase was dropped at 11 while Mayers got lucky after lbw review before Shamsi broke their partnership after bowling his fourth ball and had Mayers edge one from him through Tristan Stubbs deep cover region for thirty-five. Additionally, Chase added 52 runs while Sherfane Rutherford gave zero contributions and Andre Russell chipped in some big hits leveling up his score card with fifteen other players before run-out occurred.
As such, South African predicted that West Indies would call for a big bowling effort to defend their tally. Reeza Hendricks was dismissed by Russell on the first ball of his over, after being caught behind down while trying to glance. De Kock also departed for twelve two balls later in the same manner.
Sir Vivian Richards Stadium was abuzz with anticipation from the spectators, but rain caused a delay of ninety minutes.
The pair resumed at 15-2 and had progressed to 42 when Alzarri Joseph struck again, dismissing Markram with his second delivery. In eighth over Joseph’s pace killed Heinrich Klaasen after having scored twenty-two runs. Nonetheless, other West Indian bowlers could not restrict South Africa when they needed only one run per ball at that point.
The introduction of Chase in the twelfth over saw David Miller leave for four. During the 17th final over, he also accounted for Stubbs (29) and Maharaj (2).
With Jansen taking charge amid tense moments as South Africa defeated West Indies by six off the first ball of the last over thereby winning this match ensured that Proteas didn’t lose thus qualifying them into semi finals.
