It was a rollercoaster ride till the very end, but South Africa weathered a literal and metaphorical storm against the West Indies to clinch a 3-wicket win and seal their spot in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2024.
SA skipper Markram won the toss and, in an unexpected turn of events, sent the West Indies out to bat first.
The move came as a surprise for many, knowing that the Proteas have clinched 4 out of 4 wins in their campaign so far after having batted first. But, it wouldn’t matter much for Markram and his men soon enough.
Opening the innings for the West Indies, Shai Hope went down along with the hopes of his side early on, as the swashbuckling batter was dismissed for a golden duck by Jansen with the third delivery of the first over.
The misery would only pile on though, as Markram, who took the ball next, also struck instantly, removing the swashbuckling Pooran for a mere run, and it all seemed bleak for the hosts.
South Africa was running high, and Roston Chase stepped up to break the deadlock with a couple of blitzing boundaries to get off the mark and ease the pressure.
But, South Africa would almost strike again, tempting Chase to sky one high, only for Nortje to drop the catch and provide another life for Chase — a mistake South Africa would go on to regret.
Chase, alongside opener Kyle Mayers, took the attack to South Africa, swiping away at boundaries galore, as the duo rebuilt their side’s innings in fine fashion, bringing them up from 5/2 to 69/2 by the halfway mark.
South Africa would not fold though, as they turned the tide around with the introductions of spinners Shamsi and Maharaj.
Shamsi, in particular, would run riot over the West Indians, dazzling with perfect line and composure, to scalp both the dangerous Mayers and Sherfane Rutherford in quick succession, before finally removing the dangerman Chase after he reached his fifty.
In a seemingly bizarre move, Rabada wouldn’t be introduced to bowl till the 18th over. But, the move turned out to be one of brilliance as his introduction would lead to the immediate dismissals of both Andre Russell and Akeal Hosein in the same over, as West Indies went down 8 wickets.
All-in-all, a spirited fight from the tail-enders would help the West Indies muster up 135 runs, leaving it all up to South Africa to take the win, if they so please.
And it sure seemed like they wanted the win bad, as Quinton de Kock got off to a blazing start, punishing Akeal Hosein for three fours in the very first over itself.
But, cometh the hour cometh the man, as Andre Russell stepped up with the ball to scalp both de Kock and his strike partner Reeza Hendricks in the same over, pushing South Africa to a cautious 15/2, right before rains stopped play.
The consistent showers could have rained on the West Indies’ hopes had the match been abandoned, but lucky for them, a revised target of 123 from 17 overs was set for South Africa.
Stubbs, the new man in, instantly went to work, slashing for boundaries, as Hosein failed to inspire any change.
But, one man who would end up doing so, would be Alzarri Joseph.
The pacer instantly found the breakthrough for West Indies, removing Markram and then the hard-hitting Klaasen after he went on an onslaught of Motie, to swing momentum back towards the hosts.
A spirited spell from the likes of Andre Russell and Alzarri Joseph ensued, as the pace dup kept a patient Stubbs at bay, wringing the game out.
The biggest twist in the tale was yet to come, and it occurred with the introduction of off-spinner Roston Chase.
Chase, in classic fashion this tournament, choked out the Proteas batters, keeping his lines tight, and turned the game around once again, when he claimed the wickets of David Miller and most importantly, Tristan Stubbs, who fell victim in the 14th over.
The momentum had completely turned around to favour the hosts, as the crowds roared them on, and South Africa kept it close, inching towards the target through the storm with Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj at the crease.
Needing 13 runs from 12 balls, Chase was entrusted with the ball one last time, and he delivered again, removing Maharaj and piling the pressure onto Jansen and new man Rabada.
But, the ace pacer Rabada kept his cool to drive confidently for a stellar four to end the over, and needing 5 to win from the last over, Jansen finished it off in style, pummelling McCoy for a six straight down the ground to seal the deal.
With their win, South Africa now joins England as the semi-final qualifiers from Super Eight Group 2.
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