Twitter Reactions: South Africa’s dramatic batting collapse yields West Indies comfortable win in 2nd T20I to seal series

Ottniel Baartman and Matthew Forde. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)

The West Indies beat South Africa by 30 runs in the second T20I at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. This is the third consecutive T20I series win for the Caribbean side against the Proteas.

Aiden Markram won the toss and opted to bowl first on Monday, August 26. The Windies got off to a decent start as the opening partnership between Alick Athanaze and Shai Hope yielded 41 runs in 5.4 overs. The southpaw was the first batter to be dismissed after contributing 28 runs off 21 balls.

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Hope scored 14 off as many deliveries at the start of his innings. However, he cut loose in the seventh over, hitting two consecutive sixes off Markram. The right-handed batter eventually departed for a 22-ball 41. Nicholas Pooran looked in ominous touch in the first game but could not get going on Monday as he perished for a run-a-ball 19. Roston Chase also departed cheaply as the hosts needed a strong finish from skipper Rovman Powell and the dangerous Sherfane Rutherford.

They put the South African bowlers to the sword and plundered 47 runs off 28 balls. Rutherford made 29 off 18 balls, while Powell departed for a 22-ball 35. Romario Shepherd hit the last ball of the innings for a six as the West Indies scored 50 runs in their last five overs. The home side finished on 179/6 in their 20 overs.

Blistering start from openers goes in vain as West Indies show fighting spirit

Chasing a 180-run target, the tourists got off to a scintillating start as Reeza Hendricks and Ryan Rickelton added 63 runs inside the first five overs. The onslaught comprised an over from Roston Chase which yielded 23 runs. Shamar Joseph provided the much-needed breakthrough for the Windies as he got rid of Rickelton for a 13-ball 20.

Hendricks hit six fours and two sixes during his knock of 44 off 18 balls before falling in the last over of the powerplay. South Africa finished at 71/2 at the end of the first six overs. Markram looked in fine touch but was eventually dismissed for a nine-ball 19. Tristan Stubbs and Rassie van der Dussen tried to string a partnership but all they managed was a scratchy 43 off 39 balls.

From 129/3 in 13.4 overs, South Africa were bowled out for 149 in 19.4 overs as the West Indies bowlers ruled the roost. Shepherd was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 3/15 in four overs. Joseph also bagged a three-for, conceding 31 runs in four overs. Spinners Akeal Hosein (2/25) and Gudakesh Motie (1/27) also bowled with a lot of control, while Matthew Forde put the finishing touches by picking the last wicket of Ottneil Baartman.

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