It may have been a shortened game, but the West Indies have mowed down 116 to complete consecutive series sweeps against South Africa.
Allrounder Roston Chase took charge of the Windies today, and opted to bowl first on a turning pitch. There were 3 changes for WI, and the Proteas handed middle-order batter Jason Smith an international debut, as well as a return for Wiaan Mulder.
Inclement weather made it 13 overs a team, and an out-of-sorts Reeza Hendricks departed right after a rain break. Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram just began to up the ante, but Romario Shepherd would carry on from where he left off in the previous game.
The right-arm pacer struck twice in his first over to remove both set batters, and it would take a fabulous cameo from Tristan Stubbs to drive the Proteas to a score of substance. The young right-hander took on Obed McCoy for two fours and a six, and attacked Matthew Forde’s final over to take SA beyond 100.
As per the DLS adjustments, the target was raised for the hosts, but little did that matter. Bjorn Fortuin struck in the first over to remove Alick Athanaze, but a flurry of maximums from Shai Hope and Nicholas Pooran would immediately extinguish any hopes of a possible comeback from the visitors.
The fireworks temporarily came to an end when Ottneil Baartman had Pooran holing out to deep midwicket. There were a couple of quiet overs, but Shimron Hetmyer finally found his timing, and multiple boundaries to go with it. The game came to a fitting end, when Hope hit Patrick Kruger over deep point to seal the deal.
It’s been a masterclass of a display from the West Indies, who have multiple key absentees. And at the same time, this series has gone on to show that the new-look Proteas have some way to go. Regardless, it’s all a learning experience, and Vision 2026 has commenced with a few pressing issues to assess.
SA 108/4 in 13 overs (Stubbs 40 – Shepherd 2-0-14-2)
WI 116/2 in 9.2 overs (Hope 42*, Pooran 35, Hetmyer 31* – Fortuin 1-0-8-1)
