South Africa blows up Windies in super show

Quinton de Kock set the course with a blistering 47 in 24 balls

South Africa beat the West Indies by a whopping nine wickets to edge closer to the semi finals of the Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup in Ahamedabad yesterday but not before some anxious moments when the latter recovered from 83 for 7 in the 11th over to reach a total of 176 for 8 in the 20 overs.

Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram gave South Africa a cracking start posting 95 runs for the first wicket in just eight overs laying the base for victory.

De Kock regained his blistering form making 47 in just 24 balls hammering four fours and four sixes while Markram posted an unbeaten 82 with seven fours and four sixes while his not out partner Ryan Rickelton smacked an unbeaten 45 in 28 balls with seven fours and two sixes.

It fell on the shoulders on Jason Holder (49) and Romario Shephered (52 not out) to take the West Indies to a respectable total after through a wholesome and consolidating stand of 89 runs before parting company in the fifth ball of the last over when Holder was run-out.

Holder struck his 49 in just 31 balls with four fours and three sixes while Shephered remained unbeaten with three fours and four sixes making 62 in 37 balls.

The feared Shimron Hetmyer was dismissed for a disappointing two runs against his name as the West Indies kept losing wickets at regular intervals.

However the West Indies got off to a rousing start producing 29 runs in the first two overs before Shai Hope was caught behind for 16 against a ball from Kagiso Rabada.

Scores:
West Indies 176 for 8 in 20 overs (Brandon King 21, Shai Hope 16, Jason Holder 49, Romario Shepherd 52 not out, Kagiso Rabada 2 for 22, Lungi Ngidi 3 for 30, Corbin Bosch 2 for 31)
South Africa 177 for 1 in 16.1 overs (Quinton de Kock 47, Aiden Markram 82 not out, Ryan Rickelton 45 not out)