WI VS SA 1ST T20I

Right then, that is it from this first encounter, where West Indies take an early lead with a convincing performance. They will look to seal it next one while South Africa will fight hard to level the series. The two teams will battle it out again in the 2nd T20I on 26th May, Sunday. That match will begin at 12.30 am IST (7 pm GMT, Previous Day), but as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up to the game. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Brandon King, the victorious skipper of West Indies is also the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his fabulous knock. He says that it was important to win and he is happy with the way his team played in this game. Adds that they knew they had to go hard against the new ball as it would have gotten tougher after that. Tells that they had 200-220 on their mind with the wickets in hand, but it was not easy on this wicket. Praises Gudakesh Motie and says that he is a smart and skillful bowler who varies his pace and knows the conditions well. Credits Matthew Forde for his comeback and says he has a lot of confidence and getting early wickets should give him even more confidence. Ends by saying that they have had some chats about how they will play in the World Cup and says that he was most impressed by his bowlers in this game.

Rassie van der Dussen, the captain of South Africa says that they took a bit long to get into the game and the first 10 overs is where the opposition won the game and 150 was a par score on this track. Adds that the wicket just played a bit differently than anticipated and the tactical changes came late but they will take the learning and will be better in the next game. On Andile Phehlukwayo, he says that in these conditions, he is very tough to get away and adds that Ottniel Baartman was someone who summed up the conditions well and is glad that he was able to make his debut. End by saying that they still got 50 runs in the Powerplay and had a couple of batters in but lost wickets in the middle phase and lauds Reeza Hendricks for the way he played.

Presentation Time...

Earlier in the game, West Indies posted a decent total on the board courtesy of a fabulous fifty from skipper Brandon King along with good contributions from Kyle Mayers and Roston Chase. However, they would have still been disappointed as with the start that they got, they should have scored something around 200 or even more. South African bowlers did well after the Powerplay and pulled things back to restrict the hosts. Andile Phehlukwayo was exceptional and picked up three wickets while debutant Ottniel Baartman was also brilliant and ended with three scalps as well. Gerald Coetzee chipped in with one too. While chasing, South Africa could not really get going, but Reeza Hendricks was the lone warrior for them registering his highest individual score in this format but ending up on the losing side.

West Indies, on the other hand, were fantastic with the new ball. Matthew Forde set the tone by getting rid of QDK in the first over. Roston Chase followed that with another wicket with the help of some sharp glove work from Andre Fletcher. Shamar Joseph added more woes to the Proteas with his maiden T20I wicket putting the visitors on the back foot. They allowed a bit of a partnership in the middle but the introduction of Gudakesh Motie after the drinks break proved to be game-changing. He removed the opposition skipper with his first delivery and dismissed Wiaan Mulder for a duck in the same over. Obed McCoy bowled well as well in the middle phase and got a couple of crucial wickets. They did take a bit of a beating from Reeza Hendricks but Forde closed the game in the last over getting the last two wickets.

South Africa were rocked early as Quinton de Kock was dismissed in the first over right after playing a beautiful straight drive. Things got even worse when debutant Ryan Rickelton lost his wicket and Matthew Breetzke too followed suit after a few lusty blows. Reeza Hendricks struggled initially but held one end and steadied the ship along with his skipper Rassie van der Dussen. However, that did not last long as they added 42 runs together before the skipper perished right after the drinks break. That started a collapse for them as they went from 77/3 to 108/8 in a blink of an eye as no middle-order batter could make much impact. Hendricks fought a lone battle scoring a valiant half-century. He needed some support from the other end that never arrived. Hendricks still did not give up and continued to fight from one end. He was finally dismissed in the last over after scoring 87 off just 51 balls as in the end, South Africa fell short by 28 runs.

WEST INDIES TAKE THE EARLY INITIATIVE IN THE SERIES! A clinical performance from the Windies as they were right on the money while defending this total and this is also their biggest win over the Proteas in this format. Brandon King has a big smile on his face as he gets the win on his captaincy debut. However, we must talk about Reeza Hendricks as he played an exceptional knock for South Africa albeit in a losing clause.

OUT! TIMBER! Matthew Forde goes full and quick and spears it in at the stumps, Ottniel Baartman stays back in his crease and clears the front leg for the big heave across the line but is beaten all ends up. The ball goes on to smash into the stumps and it's all over. South Africa are bundled out for 147 and West Indies win by 28 runs.

Ottniel Baartman is the last man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Matthew Forde does eventually get his man but what a knock that was from Reeza Hendricks. Back-of-the-hand slower ball, pitched up right around middle, Reeza Hendricks looks to get under it and lifts it high towards deep mid-wicket. The elevation is there but not the distance and Kyle Mayers settles himself under the ball to take an easy catch.

Full again and around middle, Reeza Hendricks doesn't get under it and hits it straight to long on.

SIX! This is some hitting from Reeza Hendricks and this is now his highest score in T20Is. Pitched up right in the slot on middle and leg, Hendricks smashes the ball across the line and over deep square leg for a biggie.

FOUR! Oh, that is tentative bowling from Matthew Forde but he just about gets away with it. The ball slips out and Forde ends up bowling a high full toss on the hips, Reeza Hendricks helps it behind square leg for a boundary.

Matthew Forde (2-0-17-1) to bowl the last over.

Nice and full again at the stumps, driven straight back towards the bowler.

Fired into the blockhole around off, Reeza Hendricks lofts it down to wide long off and picks up a single.