NEW DELHI:
South Africa
held their nerve to secure a spot in the
T20 World Cup
semi-finals by defeating West Indies by three wickets, via the DLS method, in Antigua on Monday.
The rain-disrupted match concluded with
Marco Jansen
hitting a crucial match-winning six off the first ball in the final over, propelling South Africa to their adjusted target of 123 and advancing as Group 2 toppers alongside England.
Tabraiz Shamsi
was instrumental for the Proteas, taking 3-27, as he helped restrict West Indies to 135/8 before rain halted play. South Africa then chased down the revised target with five balls to spare.
As it happened: West Indies vs South Africa
Roston Chase captured three late wickets to stir hope for West Indies, but South Africa held their nerve in a dramatic finish.
The final two semi-final spots will be determined on Monday in matches pitting India against Australia in St Lucia and Afghanistan against Bangladesh in St Vincent, concluding the Super Eight stage.
T20 World Cup Schedule | Points Table | Stats
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, South Africa made an immediate impact. Shai Hope and Nicholas Pooran were dismissed within the first two overs, leaving West Indies struggling at 5/2. Kyle Mayers, a late addition to the squad due to an injury replacement, stabilized the innings partnering with Roston Chase for a pivotal third-wicket stand of 81.
Chase faced a scare when he was dropped at 11 and Mayers survived an lbw review before Shamsi broke their stand in the 12th over, forcing Mayers to edge to
Tristan Stubbs
at deep cover for 35. Chase scored 52 before falling to Shamsi, while Sherfane Rutherford was out for zero. Andre Russell managed a few big hits, scoring 15 before a run-out.
South Africa anticipated West Indies would push for a significant bowling effort to defend their total. Russell set the tone by dismissing Reeza Hendricks on the very first ball of his spell, caught behind down the leg side, and then removing Quinton de Kock for 12 in the same over.
The crowd at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium buzzed with excitement, but the atmosphere shifted when rain forced a 90-minute delay.
Resuming at 15-2, Aiden Markram and Stubbs progressed to 42 before Alzarri Joseph struck again, removing Markram for 18 with his second delivery. Joseph's pace later did Heinrich Klaasen in for 22 by the eighth over. Despite this, other West Indies bowlers failed to restrain South Africa, who needed merely a run-a-ball at that stage.
Chase's introduction in the 12th over resulted in dismissing David Miller for four. He later removed Stubbs for 29 and Keshav Maharaj for two, taking the game into the 17th and final over.
Amid tense moments, Jansen stepped up and secured victory for South Africa with a decisive six off the first ball of the last over. This win ensured the Proteas remained unbeaten and progressed to the semi-finals.
English (US) ·