SA v WI World T20 Review: Windies through to the semis after a thrilling win

The West Indies won the toss and decided to bowl first on a slow pitch in Nagpur. South African skipper was happy to bat first however his team could manage only 122/8 in 20 overs but gave it all in the field to take the match to the final over. Marlon Samuel’s run-a-ball 44 guided the Windies in a closely fought match that went down the wire. With 9 needed off the final over Carlos Brathwaite deposited a huge six off Rabada that sealed the match and a semi-final spot for his side in the World T20 2016. The match also witnessed some incredible fielding from both sides.

South Africa got off to a disastrous start by losing Hashim Amla (1) on the 3rd ball of the match. His opening partner Quinton de Kock hit a ball from Samuel Badree to cover and both batsmen hesitated initially, however, went for the run. Andre Russell though put in a dive and returned the ball to Denesh Ramdin who was quick to remove the bails and Amla was found short of his crease.

Sulieman Benn pulled off a brilliant forward diving catch that accounted for skipper Faf u Plessis (9). The right-hander had hit Russell (2/28) for a lovely straight six, however, couldn’t get the elevation this time. The decision was referred to the third umpire however inconclusive evidence meant the on-field soft signal of out stood.  Benn seemed to have his fingers beneath the ball as he plucked it inches off the ground.  Chris Gayle (2/17) was given the ball and he made an impact by removing Rilee Rossouw (0).

Gayle then cleaned up David Miller (1) while Dwayne Bravo (2/20) took the massive wicket of AB de Villiers (10) to reduce the Proteas to 46/4 in 7.4 overs. Bravo’s incredible slower ball went past AB’s defences and rattled the stumps after taking an inside edge. Russell came back to remove de Kock who battled hard for his 47 off 46 balls that included 3 fours and 1 six. David Wiese made 28 off 26 including 2 fours before becoming Bravo’s 2nd wicket.

Aaron Phangiso (4) was run-out off the last ball of the innings, however, did well to accompany Chris Morris who made an unbeaten 16 off 17 balls including 2 fours. His knock helped SA go past 6-runs per over mark. Carlos Brathwaite (0/11), Benn (0/20) and Badree (0/22) bowled economically and complimented the wicket-takers well.

Gayle (4) clipped his first ball off Kagiso Rabada (1/38) for a neat four to the fine-leg boundary, however, received an in-dipper the next ball that disturbed his stumps. Rossouw’s direct hit found Andre Fletcher (11) short of the crease with the score on 34 in 5.3 overs. Johnson Charles batted well for his 32 off 35 that featured 2 fours and a six before Wiese (1/19) got his wicket.

Bravo made 8 off 6 before becoming Phangiso’s (1/19) only wicket of the night. But, it was the wicket of Russell (4) that brought SA right back in the match. Trying to go for a slog sweep he gave a catch to midwicket and the next ball saw Darren Sammy’s (0) stumps being rattled by Imran Tahir (2/13). When Morris had Samuels caught by AB, the Proteas were in with a chance, however, Rabada’s length ball in the next over was brilliantly hit by Brathwaite in the stands. He remained unbeaten on a run-a-ball 10 while Ramdin (1 not out) slashed the 4th ball over short third man that helped overhaul the target. Amla tried to catch the ball, however, could only manage to get his fingertips to it. South Africa will now hope that England doesn’t defeat Sri Lanka tomorrow for them to stay alive in the competition.

Brief Scores:

South Africa – 122/8 in 20/20 overs (Q de Kock 47; C Gayle 2/17)

West Indies – 123/7 in 19.4 overs (M Samuels 44; I Tahir 2/13)

Man of the Match: Marlon Samuels (West Indies)