Cricket Highlights, June 24: T20 WC 2024 (Match 50) – West Indies vs South Africa

West Indies vs South Africa (Match 50) – Highlights

In this article, we will discuss South Africa’s remarkable journey in the men’s T20 World Cup 2024. We will explore how they have maintained an undefeated streak through six matches, culminating in a crucial rain-reduced victory that secured their spot in the semi-finals. This analysis will delve into the strategic decisions, key performances, and newfound resilience that have propelled South Africa into the knockouts for the first time in a decade. 

South Africa has made an impressive run in the men’s T20 World Cup 2024, remaining undefeated through six matches. Despite the close calls in five of those games, they have successfully navigated a rain-shortened match to secure their place in the semi-finals, knocking co-hosts West Indies out of contention. Topping their Super Eight group means they will likely avoid facing India in the semi-finals. This achievement prompts the question: could this be their year?

Remarkably, Aiden Markram, who captained the Under-19 team to a World Cup win in 2014, now leads the senior team with great success. Markram’s strategic decision to bowl himself for a full quota of four overs, utilizing spin—a non-traditional strength for South Africa—proved pivotal. 

This match saw South Africa’s spinners delivering a record number of overs in a T20 World Cup game, taking 5 for 79 in 12 overs. This approach stifled the West Indies’ batting, contributing to the 57 dot balls faced, equivalent to 9.3 overs, and the most by any team in this tournament.

Only an 81-run partnership between Kyle Mayers and Roston Chase provided resistance as the West Indies’ batting collapsed. The only batters to score more than 15 runs were Mayers and Chase.

In the first 10 overs, South Africa’s fielding woes were evident as they dropped four catches. Markram’s decision to open the bowling with spin, sharing the new ball with Jansen, paid off early as West Indies were reduced to 5 for 2. They missed several chances to further capitalize, including dropping Chase and Mayers at critical junctures. 

Nonetheless, Markram’s spell of 1 for 28 from four overs and the effective use of spinners kept West Indies from accelerating. Rabada’s late introduction into the attack was unusual but effective. Typically bowled within the first four overs, he was brought on in the 18th over for the first time in his T20I career. 

His impact was immediate, contributing to a crucial run-out and taking a key wicket to restrict West Indies to 135 runs. His first over conceded only one run, and he closed out the innings by giving away just 11 more, preventing any late flourish from the West Indies.

South Africa’s chase began positively with Quinton de Kock scoring 12 runs off the first over. However, early wickets and a rain interruption, reminiscent of past rain-affected heartbreaks for South Africa, added tension.  Despite the efforts of their bowlers, who managed to have South Africa at 15 for 2 in two overs before rain intervened, the West Indies fell short. Chase’s 3 for 12 and Joseph’s 2 for 25 kept South Africa under pressure.

The rain delay reduced the target to 123 runs, intensifying the pressure. Heinrich Klaasen’s aggressive approach against Gudakesh Motie was the turning point, as he hit a series of boundaries to break the back of the chase and set South Africa on the path to victory, needing only 53 runs from the remaining 10 overs.

This victory, characterized by strategic decisions, resilience, and overcoming pressure, marks a significant achievement for South Africa. Their successful campaign so far in the T20 World Cup 2024 raises hopes and expectations that this could finally be their time to claim an ICC trophy.

West Indies vs South Africa Scoreboard

West Indies – 135/8 (20.0)

South Africa – 124/7 (16.1)

Result – South Africa won by 3 wickets (with 5 balls remaining) (DLS method)

Player of the match – Tabraiz Shamsi

Tabraiz Shamsi

West Indies vs South Africa Playing XIs

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