West Indies Beat South Africa in 3rd T20I Match to Win Series 2-1 | SA vs WI T20I 2023

West Indies Beat South Africa in 3rd T20I Match to Win Series 2-1: On March 28th, 2023, the West Indies defeated South Africa by seven runs in the third T20I match of the series held at Johannesburg, South Africa.

The victory for the West Indies was a significant milestone as they won their second consecutive T20I series in South Africa, with the first one coming back in 2015.

The victory was also a testament to the West Indies’ ability to adapt to challenging conditions, which were compounded by the heavy dew that greased up the ball.

West Indies Beat South Africa in 3rd T20I Match to Win Series 2-1 | SA vs WI T20I 2023

The match saw Romario Shepherd and Alzarri Joseph emerge as the heroes for the West Indies, with their ninth-wicket partnership of 59 runs off 26 balls securing a series win for their team.

Shepherd’s unbeaten 44 off 22 balls was crucial in the West Indies’ total of 220 for 8, which South Africa was unable to chase down, despite Reeza Hendricks’ career-best 83.

The match had its share of ups and downs, with South Africa’s Lungi Ngidi having a nightmare start. After a decent delivery first up, Ngidi bowled down the leg-side to Brandon King, who helped the ball on its way over long leg.

Ngidi then adjusted to outside off stump with his next ball, but King launched it onto the roof over deep mid-wicket, forcing Ngidi to try something different. He tried pace off with his fourth ball, but King spotted it and sent it over mid-wicket for four.

West Indies Beat South Africa in 3rd T20I Match to Win Series 2-1 | SA vs WI T20I 2023

In frustration, Ngidi overstepped for his next ball and had to bowl it again. His extra delivery was a low full-toss that Kyle Mayers hit over extra cover for four, completing a 22-run over.

However, the rest of South Africa’s bowlers did well in the early stages, with Kagiso Rabada making amends for Ngidi’s start by bowling Mayers with a full, fast delivery that knocked the West Indian opener off his feet as it found the stumps.

Rabada then brought the centurion from SuperSport Park, Johnson Charles, down to earth with a first-ball duck. Anrich Nortje returned in the ninth over and saw Mayers walk across his stumps so pitched it on leg stump and took it out. Aiden Markram joined in the fun when Rovman Powell opened his stance and missed a slog, and he became the fourth West Indian to be bowled.

West Indies Beat South Africa in 3rd T20I Match to Win Series 2-1 | SA vs WI T20I 2023

Crucial Contributions by Shepherd and Joseph Took West Indies to Victory:

The West Indies were struggling at 108 for 4 at the halfway stage, after which Ngidi redeemed himself when he had Nicholas Pooran caught behind. However, the West Indies needed a strong finish after losing three wickets for just 21 runs between the 13th and 16th over, with not much batting left to come.

Shepherd and Joseph put on the highest ninth-wicket partnership at the Wanderers, taking 52 runs off the last three overs to ensure that the West Indies topped 200.

Shepherd survived two chances during this time – he edged Wayne Parnell, but Quinton de Kock could not hold on, and then he skied a chance off Rabada, but Heinrich Klaasen lost it in the lights at fine leg.

Shepherd finished the innings with a massive six over long on, a pull through mid-wicket for four, and an aerial drive over Rabada’s head in an over that cost 26 runs. Shepherd finished unbeaten on 44 off 22 balls, a crucial contribution that would prove to be the difference between the two sides.

In reply, South Africa started in a fairly circumspect style, with only seven runs off the first two overs.

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West Indies Beat South Africa in 3rd T20I Match to Win Series 2-1 | SA vs WI T20I 2023