Tazmin Brits career-best 98* gave South Africa the T20I series lead in the three-game series against West Indies, and a West Indies win in the 2nd T20I has kept the series alive heading into the 3rd and final T20I. Earlier, visitors South Africa claimed the ODI series win (2-1).
Contributions from the middle-order take South Africa to a respectable total
The South African openers Tazmin Brits and skipper Laura Wolvaardt got their side off to a cautious start with a 30-run opening partnership after skipper Hayley Matthews won the toss and inserted them to bat first in the 2nd T20I. Jahzara Claxton got the big scalp of the opposition skipper, Laura Wolvaardt (16 off 16 balls) in the 5th over of the innings to provide the first breakthrough for the West Indies.
The visitors lost a couple of wickets in quick succession, and they were reduced to 40/3 in the 9th over of the innings, when Miane Smith joined Nadine de Klerk at the crease and the duo stitched a much-needed 29-run partnership for the 4th wicket to take their side past the 50-run mark. Afy Fletcher broke the stand, by sending Nadine de Klerk (20 off 24 balls) back to the pavilion in the 13th over of the innings to provide the 4th breakthrough for the home side.
On a slightly tricky pitch, South Africa eventually posted a competitive total of 113/6 in their quota of 20 overs. Miane Smit (13 off 13 balls), Annerie Dercksen (21* off 17 balls), and Karabo Meso (14* off 19 balls) chipped in with vital contributions with the bat for South Africa. Afy Fletcher (4-0-13-2), skipper Hayley Matthews (4-0-15-1), Karishma Ramharack (4-0-25-2), and Jahzara Claxton (4-0-27-1) were the top performers with the ball for the West Indies.
Hayley Matthews leads from the front to level the T20I series
Chasing a target of 114, West Indies openers Qiana Joseph and skipper Hayley Matthews got their side off to a steady start with a 41-run opening partnership. Ayabonga Khakha broke the opening partnership by sending Qiana Joseph (17 off 21 balls) back to the pavilion in the 8th over of the run chase. Debutant Shawnisha Hector soon followed her back to the pavilion in the 11th over of the innings to provide the 2nd breakthrough for South Africa.
Wicket-keeper batter Shemaine Campbelle joined skipper Hayley Matthews at the crease, and the duo stitched a much-needed 20-run partnership for the 3rd wicket, taking them past the 50-run mark. Nonkululeko Mlaba picked up the wicket of Shemaine Campbelle to provide the 3rd breakthrough for the visitors. Chenille Henry (3 off 5 balls) found it difficult to get going and was dismissed by Nonkululeko Mlaba in the 15th over of the innings to provide the 4th breakthrough for South Africa.
Jannillea Glasgow (15* off 17 balls) joined skipper Hayley Matthews (63* off 56 balls) at the crease and the pair guided their side over the line with 6 wickets in hand and 4 balls to spare, as the home side levelled the three-match T20I series. Skipper Hayley Matthews completed her 18th T20I half-century in the process. Nonkululeko Mlaba (4-0-17-2) and Masabata Klaas (4-0-22-1) Marizanne Kapp (4-0-21-0) were impressive with the ball, while Ayanbonga Khakha (4-0-27-1) played her part with the ball for her side, as South Africa made the home side toil hard for each run.
Skipper Hayley Matthews was awarded the Player of the Match for her impactful all-round show, returning with match figures of 4-0-15-1 with the ball and scoring an unbeaten and a gritty half-century (63* off 56 balls) with the bat for her side, playing a massive role in helping her side level the T20I series against South Africa.
I am Yash Tailor, and I believe work should be driven by passion. Therefore, after completing my Engineering, I chose to work in the Cricket industry, my passion. My goal is to reach a stage where I truly enjoy what I do and give my best to every task with energy and purpose.