West Indies Pull Off Highest Successful Run Chase at Brian Lara Stadium
West Indies Secure Victory with Dominant Batting Performance
TAROUBA, Trinidad, CMC – West Indies, on the back of half-centuries from Nicholas Pooran and Shai Hope, pulled off the highest successful run chase at the Brian Lara Stadium in defeating South Africa by seven wickets in the opening T20 International in Tarouba, Trinidad, on Friday.
South Africa managed only 174 for seven in their 20 overs, after which the West Indies chased down the runs, scoring 176 for three in 17.5 overs.
Host Seamers Dismiss Top Order
After asking the visitors to take the first strike following a rain delay, the host seamers ran through the Proteas top order to leave them in tatters at 42 for five in the seventh over. Matthew Forde started the demolition job when he had opener Ryan Rickelton caught behind for four. The Barbadian then had captain Aiden Markram caught at mid-on for 14 before Shamar Joseph got in by removing Reeza Hendricks for four.
South Africa Recover through Partnership
The South Africans would recover thanks to a sixth-wicket partnership of 71 runs off 50 balls between Tristan Stubbs and Patrick Kruger. Stubbs also shared a seventh-wicket stand of 60 off 25 balls with Bjorn Fortuin, giving the innings some impetus.
West Indies Reply with Dominant Display
In reply, the West Indies wasted little time getting in on the act as the new opening pair of Shai Hope and Alick Athanaze blazed their way to an 84-run opening stand. The left-handed Athanaze had hit three maximums and two boundaries in his score of 40, but he was undone in the eighth over and was caught off seamer Ottniel Baartman. Pooran joined Hope, and they continued in the same vain and added 54 runs for the second wicket. Pooran mainly liked Nandre Burger, as he took the left-arm seamer for four straight sixes in the 12th over.
Hope and Pooran Lead West Indies to Victory
In the meantime, Hope would bring up his third T20I half-century, which came off 34 balls. He would fall soon after to Baartman for 51, at 138 for two in the 14th over. Despite captain Rovman Powell falling for just seven runs, Pooran shifted gears and brought up his half-century off just 20 balls. In the end, he would finish with seven sixes and two fours in his unbeaten 65, with Roston Chase, who hit the winning runs, ending on four not out.
Conclusion
Captain Powell praised his team’s performance with both ball and bat, which got the team off to a winning start. “I think it’s always good to go 1-0 up. We bowled well in the powerplay, and though we let them off a bit, we were good with the bat,” said Powell.
FAQs
Q: Who was the top scorer for the West Indies?
A: Nicholas Pooran scored 65 not out.
Q: Who was the top scorer for South Africa?
A: Tristan Stubbs scored 76.
Q: How many runs did South Africa score in their 20 overs?
A: South Africa scored 174 for seven in their 20 overs.
Q: How many runs did the West Indies chase down?
A: The West Indies chased down 176 for three in 17.5 overs.