Captain Powell Powers West Indies won the T20I in the opener

March 25, 2023, 6:04 p.m

Captain Powell Powers West Indies won the T20I in the opener

South Africa vs West Indies

1. Twenty20 International

Place: Super Sports Park, Centurion

Result: West Indies won by 3 runs

Best of the match: Rovman Powell

Scorecard: https://www.windiescricket.com/matches/215139/

Rovman Powell emulated Shai Hope in the just-concluded One-Day International series by leading his team to victory in his first match as full-time West Indies T20I captain in a rain-reduced, nail-biting encounter in Centurion.

After heavy rain delayed the start of play by two hours and then reduced it to 11 overs, West Indies won the toss and opted to put South Africa, led by Aiden Markham, into bat.

Proceedings got off to a perfect start for the West Indies when Akeal Hosein dismissed the dangerous Quinton De Kock’s first delivery, caught by Romario Shepherd at short fine leg as he edged a sweep shot.

Later, when Shepherd reached the wicket when he sent back Wayne Parnell, the hosts had slumped to 79-6 in the ninth over. However, West Indies ended up chasing a challenging target of 132 built around a whirlwind 48 off 22 balls from left-hander David Miller.

Made sure the West Indies got over the line

Brandon King’s eight-ball 23 gave the visitors a good start and Johnson Charles’ 14-ball 28 paid off, but it was Powell who ensured West Indies got over the line as cheers fell around him. West Indies required 46 runs off 24 balls as Powell made 23 runs off left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin in the second over to bring the required Run Rate down to seven and over in the last three overs.

Powell remained valiant especially when Sisanda Magala took two wickets in two balls and almost got a hat-trick at the other end with West Indies needing nine from the final over. Fittingly, Powell hit the winning runs in three overs, which included a massive six over the mid-on boundary.

The delightful Powell was chosen as the Player of the Match. Reflecting on his match win and the West Indies win, he said:

He added to the plans for Sunday’s second race:

Another Twenty20 International will be held at the same venue on Sunday. First ball at 2pm (8am EasternCaribbean/7am Jamaica), West Indies aim for another win and the series.