Another superb bowling display saw the Proteas clinch a thrilling victory against the West Indies in the third T20 at the National Cricket Stadium in St George’s on Sunday.
The Proteas won by one run and now lead the five-match T20 series 2-1.
Set a target of 168, the West Indies got off to a decent start with Lendl Simmons and Evin Lewis sharing a 55-run opening stand.
Proteas spinner George Linde provided the much-need breakthrough as Simmons edged behind for 22.
The home side continued to struggle against the Proteas spin attack when Lewis gave Tabraiz Shamsi his first scalp of the game.
Wickets then fell at regular intervals for the West Indies with Jason Holder (16) miscuing Lungi Ngidi and Shamsi capturing Shimron Hetmyer (17).
Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada bowled a cracking yorker to send captain Kieron Pollard (1) packing.
Anrich Nortje then bowled an eventful 17th over, as Russell smashed the fast bowler for two sixes and was then dropped on 24 by Temba Bavuma.
However, Nortje, who went for 16 in that over, had the last laugh claiming Russel’s wicket (25) off the final ball.
Nicholas Pooran contributed a handy 27 before falling to Nortje, who finished with 2 for 29 in his four overs.
West Indies needed 15 off the final over, Rabada defended the total and the hosts fell one-run short to finish on 166/7 in their 20 overs.
Shamsi finished as the pick of the South African bowlers, producing figures of 2 for 13.
After West Indies chose to bowl first, the Proteas got a decent start before Obed McCoy removed opener Reeza Hendricks (17) and captain Bavuma (1) in the fifth over.
Opener Quinton de Kock stood tall as he shared a 43-run partnership with Aiden Markram (23) and a 60-run fourth-wicket partnership with Rassie van der Dussen.
De Kock, who is playing his 50th T20I game, top-scored with a 72 off 51 balls (5 fours and 2 sixes) before falling to Dwayne Bravo as South Africa reached 147/4.
The Proteas were looking for a total past 180, however, another batting collapse saw the tourists losing five wickets for 17 runs.
24-year-old McCoy impressed with figures of four for 22, which included the wicket of Van der Dussen, who scored 32 off 24 balls.
West Indies all-rounder Bravo took two late wickets to finish with three for 25.
South Africa eventually posted 167/8 in their 20 overs, which proved to be enough for the win.
The fourth T20 in St George’s is scheduled to get underway at 20:00 SA time on Thursday.
Scores in brief:
South Africa – 167/8 in 20 overs (De Kock 72, Van der Dussen 32, McCoy 4-22, Bravo 3-25)
West Indies – 166/7 in 20 overs (Lewis 27, Pooran 27, Shamsi 2/13, Nortje 2/29)
Result: South Africa win by 1 run
Via News24