Just fireworks all around the ground as we saw two first time centurians putting on a show for the fans. West Indies, batting first, scored 258 runs on board, all credit due to Johnson Charles’ 46 balls 118 and Kyle Mayers’ 27 balls 51 and Romario Shepherd’s 18 balls 41.
No South African bowler went unscathed when West Indies were on their business to assault yet Wayne Parnell managed to concede just less than 11 runs per over and took two wickets. Marco Jansen was the other successful bowler who took three wickets but conceded over 50 runs.
This was really a 250 wicket, a team after scoring 258 wasn’t feeling safe and the reason of their feeling unsafe was firepower and class of Proteas’ batters.
Quinton De Kock couldn’t have provided a better start to the big chase, adding 148 runs in first 10 overs. South Africa also scored 102 runs in the powerplay which was a record highest score in T20 cricket by any team.
That was special 🔥#SAvWI #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/rruu4aYa0h
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) March 26, 2023
De Kock scored a 44 balls 100 and that was enough to provide a solid ground to chase down the big total. His partner Reeza Hendricks looked in finest touch as he scored 28 balls 68 in an innings full of class and stroke hitting.
In total West Indies batters hit 22 sixes while South African batters could only hit 12 sixes. However, it was fours where West Indies fell 14 boundaries short to 29 hit by South African batters.
It was belter of a track to bat on, the pitch only got better and batters took full advantage of what seems to be a graveyard for bowlers. Two centuries in one match, two half centuries and middle order finishing well. That was the story of the game.
It was only a day ago that South Africa posted 131 runs on board and West Indies chased it down with 3 balls to spare in rain reduced 11 overs game. A high class competitive cricket from both teams.
Both teams now move to Wanderers for the third and final T20i which is another high scoring ground. Both teams will fancy their chances to win the series as it is 1-1 at the moment.