WI VS SA ODI

Right then, that's all from this game. West Indies have taken an unassailable 1-0 lead in the series and will now look to seal the series 2-0. On the other hand, South Africa will be disappointed with their effort with the bat in this game and will look to bounce back and by doing so, level the series. The third and final ODI of this series will be played at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom on 21st of March, Tuesday. The first ball will be bowled at 1.30 pm IST (8.00 am GMT). As always you can join us early for the build-up. As always, you can join us in advance for the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!

Shai Hope, the captain of West Indies is also the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his brilliance with the bat. Hope says that Temba Bavuma played a great inning but catches win matches and they were able to get over the line. Mentions that it was a difficult pitch to start on with the bat but as soon as you get in, one has to think about going big. Says that it is about playing the situation well and that was what he was able to do and applauds others who contributed with the ball. Says that Akeal Hosein is doing what he does best and it was good to see Alzarri Joseph come back the way he did.

Temba Bavuma, the skipper of South Africa, says that Lungi Ngidi held his end well and the approach was to take the game as close as they could. Feels that their death bowling has not been clinical and he would have loved to restrict West Indies to 300 considering the wickets they got up front. Shares that they have a young and inexperienced side and hopes that the boys can take a lot of learnings from such games. Hopes that the learnings can help them to act and think better. Mentions that the chat between him and Ngidi was that if they manage to get two 15-run overs then West Indies would panic. Ends by informing that Nortje is certainly not coming back for the third ODI but Klaasen and Miller are in contention for the game at Potchefstroom.

The Presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Shai Hope won the toss and opted to bat first on a dry surface. It was a first start by Kyle Mayers and Brandon King up top for West Indies but they lost three wickets in quick succession. It was then a partnership between skipper Shai Hope with Nicholas Pooran and then again with Rovman Powell that really took the Windies' score above the 300-run mark. Hope finished with a stellar century and West Indies put on a big total of 335 runs on the board. For South Africa, debutant Gerald Coetzee impressed with the ball and picked up three wickets with the two spinners, Bjorn Fortuin and Tabraiz Shamsi picking up a couple of wickets each but almost every bowler went for a bit of a tap. Coming to the chase, the hosts had the start they need but it all started to fall apart in the middle overs with only their skipper, Temba Bavuma holding fort. In the end, his efforts went in vain.

South Africa should be and certainly will be a lot disappointed with that effort. After an under-par display with the ball, their openers Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock got them off to just the start they needed. The pair put on 76 runs inside 9 overs before de Kock get out. Bavuma kept on going and with a few handy knocks from the others, the Proteas were in a strong position at 200/4. However, once Tristan Stubbs fell, that triggered a bit of a collapse. With 8 wickets down for 238, it looked impossible to get the win but skipper Bavuma started lacing the ball and got the required margin under 50 runs. He fell on 287 with his score on 144 and with that all hopes of a stellar come back was lost.

West Indies have really pulled one out of the bag here because at one point it looked like South Africa were cruising through the chase but a few soft dismissals and some tidy bowling helped the visitors to get the win. Akeal Hosein was certainly the pick of the bowlers as he picked up three crucial wickets and was economical as well. The likes of Jason Holder and Alzarri Joseph went for a bit of stick early on but Joseph came back in to clean up the tail and ended with three wickets as well. On the whole, they were able to pick up wickets when it mattered and that negated the poor start with the ball and a big score on the board meant that the Windies won the toss.

What a game this has turned out to be! West Indies have managed to topple the Proteas in their own backyard and have done so in style. It got a bit close toward the end but Alzarri Joseph went bang-bang to finish proceedings. The Windies take a 1-0 lead in the series and with just one more game remaining, they cannot lose the series.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Alzarri Joseph wraps things up with two wickets in an over! Serves it on a fuller length and outside off, Tabraiz Shamsi is tempted by the width and goes for the drive away from his body. Gets an outside edge that travels behind the wicket to Shai Hope who pouches it safely. West Indies win by 48 runs and take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Short and outside off, Tabraiz Shamsi sways away and lets the ball go through to the keeper.

Tabraiz Shamsi is the last man in for South Africa.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Temba Bavuma departs and with him goes the hopes of South Africa! Slower and into the wicket on leg by Alzarri Joseph, Temba Bavuma swivels in his crease and goes for the pull. Gets deceived by the slowness and ends up playing his shot early. The ball catches him on the gloves and lobs behind the wicket to Shai Hope who makes no mistake. Alzarri Joseph has his second wicket of the game and West Indies are now a wicket away from victory.

Shortish delivery on off by Alzarri Joseph, Lungi Ngidi chops it down to third man for a single.

Slower and back of a length on off, Lungi Ngidi hangs back to defend and gets squared up a bit. The ball comes off the outer part of the bat to short third man for a run.

Back of a length and outside off, Lungi Ngidi goes for a poke away from his body and misses.

Length delivery on off, Lungi Ngidi looks to drive it on the up but finds extra cover.

Good-length delivery on off, Temba Bavuma taps it to point and takes one.