WI vs SA: West Indies beat South Africa by 8 wickets in the third Twenty20 International to win the T20 series 3–0

WI vs SA: At the Brian Lara Cricket Stadium in Trinidad, West Indies defeated South Africa by 8 wickets in the third Twenty20 International to seal the 3-0 T20I series. Rain forced the game to be trimmed to 13 overs, but the West Indies were able to comfortably chase the target of 116 with 22 balls remaining thanks to a quickfire 42* from Shai Hope and cameos from Nicholas Pooran (35) and Shimron Hetmyer (31*). In a difficult night overall, Tristan Stubbs’ 40 off 15 deliveries was South Africa’s bright spot.

To limit the pace of scoring, Matthew Forde and Akeal Hosein were able to slip in a few calm overs early on. In his second over, Forde tried to restrict Ryan Rickelton’s movement, but the hitter was able to knock a ball past the line, scoring a six and a boundary. A few balls later, the rain came, stopping the match for an hour and costing each team seven overs.

Following the break in play, Reeza Hendricks was removed when he gave Fabian Allen a short delivery from the left-arm spinner at deep midwicket. In the subsequent over, Rickelton made it out after being dumped at cover. Gudakesh Motie was defeated by the left-hander, who slog-swept him for a maximum. Not long later, Aiden Markram took Motie on and scored a four and a six in a 16-run over.

After both hitters were scalped by Romario Shepherd, Stubbs was forced to the crease. First, he used two sixes and a four to strike Obed McCoy. Next to receive was Forde, who had two limits and a maximum. Stubbs ended a magnificent 40 off 15 balls when he mishandled a slower ball from Forde that landed in Allen’s hands. After 13 overs, South Africa reached 108 for 4.

Bjorn Fortuin picked up Alick Athanaze, who chipped it to Aiden Markram at mid-on, with a revised target of 116 in 13 overs. Pooran did not lose any time in hitting his first ball of Fortuin for six. He proceeded to hit two tremendous sixes over deep square against Lizaad Williams. As Hope hooked onto Kwena Maphaka, which included three sixes—all on the onside—the mayhem continued.

After hitting two boundaries and a six against Ottneil Baartman, Pooran proceeded to play at full tilt, eventually pulling the ball to deep midwicket. In the four-over PowerPlay, West Indies had swept to 60 for 2.

Patrick Kruger’s few of calm overs provided South Africa with a little respite. However, this immediately vanished as Maphaka was grabbed for a six by Shimron Hetmyer. After the left-hander knocked down Baartman for three boundaries, the shackles opened once again. Hope finished the introductions with a huge six-over cover.

Brief Scores: West Indies 116 for 2 in 9.2 overs (Shai Hope 42*, Nicholas Pooran 35; Bjorn Fortuin 1-8) defeated South Africa 108 for 4 in 13 overs (Tristan Stubbs 40, Ryan Rickelton 27; Romario Shepherd 2-14) – owing to weather, the game was shortened to 13 overs each side.