The Super 8 stage of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 saw South Africa and the West Indies face off against each other at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. South Africa captain Aiden Markram won the toss and decided to bowl first against the hosts. The winner of this match would secure a spot in the semi-finals of the tournament.
Both teams made changes to their line-ups for the crucial game. South Africa brought back spinner Tabraiz Shamsi in place of seamer Ottneil Baartman, while the West Indies swapped Johnson Charles for Kyle Mayers. Markram mentioned that the wind was strong, and the pitch might slow down as the game progressed. If West Indies skipper Rovmamn Powell had won the toss, he would have also elected to field first.
The South Africa playing XI included Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, and others, while the West Indies team featured Shai Hope, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, and more. The match was significant for both teams as they aimed to secure a spot in the semi-finals.
The first over bowled by South African spinner Imran Tahir went for 13 runs as Johnson Charles hit two sixes off successive deliveries. But with some tight bowling from Tabraiz Shamsi and Kagiso Rabada in overs two and three, no further runs were scored.
The fourth over bowled by Anrich Nortje went for 10 runs as Andre Russell hit a six off his third delivery. But again with tight bowling from Shamsi and Rabada in overs five and six, no further runs were scored.
In response to West Indies’ aggressive batting, South Africa’s opening batsman Quinton de Kock struck four fours off four balls in an over bowled by Sheldon Cottrell. This put South Africa’s score at 59 after eight overs.
However, just when it seemed like things were looking up for South Africa, West Indian wicketkeeper Nicholas Pooran caught Reeza Hendricks on a short ball from Chris Gayle. This reduced South Africa’s score to 47 after nine overs.
South African captain Aiden Markram then came out at number three and hit three fours off successive deliveries from Fabian Allen to take South Africa’s score to 61 after ten overs.
But even with Markram’s late surge in form, South Africa fell short by just one run as they lost wickets too quickly during their final innings against West Indies at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
