WI VS SA T20I

Right then, that is it from this game and West Indies have sealed an unassailable 2-0 lead in this three-match T20I series. South Africa still have pride to play for and 2-1 will sound much better than 3-0, so, expect some fireworks in the final game as well. The third T20I will be played at the same venue on Tuesday, 27 August at 7 pm GMT but you can join us about an hour in advance for the build-up. Cheers!

Rovman Powell, the captain of the West Indies says that it brings the best out of the boys when they are put under pressure. Says that the T20 format can change really fast. Says they were under pressure when South Africa was going strong in the powerplay. Mentions that he had a chat with the guys after the fielding restrictions got lifted and told them to breathe a little. On being asked about Shepherd, he says when you give the guys more opportunities, and back them, they do well. Also mentions Brandon King and tells that he is their number one opener, but he is not there. Further says that he was leading them in the last T20I series against the same team earlier this year. Onto Athanaze, he appreciates and says that Alick is a talented lad and it feels exciting to see him perform well. Also mentions that South Africa is a quality side to beat. Ends up appreciating the crowd and says that it has become a regular thing in Trinidad to get such lovely support and also says they are forever grateful to the people of Trinidad.

Aiden Markram, the captain of South Africa says that somewhere in the middle overs with the bat is where they lost the game and in comparison to the last game, they bowled much better throughout different phases of the game and hopefully, they can tweak things up. On Lizaad Williams, he says he is a fierce competitor and puts in a lot of work behind the scenes and is happy that he got a game here. Mentions that it is tough to point a finger at the youngsters and it just goes on to show how much experience matters and will look to work behind the scenes. Finishes off by saying that they will try to be competitive in the last game and make the most of it.

Romario Shepherd is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his spectacular bowling figures (4-0-15-3). He begins by saying that he is very pleased and he executed his plans well. Adds that after being hit for a plenty in the previous game, he had to make a comeback and planned to take ball by ball. About his role in the team, he says the captain expects him to hit the line of the stumps constantly as much as possible.

The Presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Aiden Markram opted to put West Indies into bat on a used surface and for the first 10 overs or so, it looked like the pitch for pristine for batting. South Africa did pick up wickets but West Indies were going along really nicely thanks their opening pair of Alick Athanaze and Shai Hope. The Proteas pegged things back for a few overs and got into the middle order of the opposition. However, a couple of fiery 30s from Rovman Powell and Sherfane Rutherford propelled West Indies to almost 180 runs. For South Africa, it was Lizaad Williams who came into the side for this game and picked up 3 wickets and Patrick Kruger showed some real partnership-breaking abilities. In reply, the visitors looked in the driver's seat from the get-go but the hosts never stopped believing and ended up winning by 30 runs.

South Africa will be kicking themselves as they have no one else to blame and they haven't completely crumbled under pressure. They were flying at 63/0 in 4.3 overs before the first wicket fell and that triggered a mini collapse and they crumbled to 86/3 in 7.2 overs, still in an excellent position to level the series. Tristan Stubbs and Rassie van der Dussen put on a steady stand worth 43 runs before Stubbs got out but neither of those two could accelerate once things were stable. The proteas simply kept losing wickets and ended up well short of what should have been a formality of a target after that burst from the openers.

Now, that is how you step up as a bowling unit and after being bruised and battered in the first 5 overs, the Windies bowlers have made an exceptional comeback. Shamar Joseph is already a star and he was the one who started the fightback for his side by dismissing Ryan Rickelton and then Romario Shepherd followed it up with a couple of quickfire wickets of his own. The game was still slipping away from the home side when Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie stood up and broke the back of the middle order. After this, Shepherd and Joseph came back in and ripped through the South African tail and incidentally, a single wicket fell in each of the final seven overs of the chase, never seen that before.

WEST INDIES HAVE SEALED THE SERIES! A stellar comeback in the run chase from the home side and they continue their bilateral dominance in this format over the Proteas in the last couple of years or so. Not only that but West Indies now better their overall head-to-head against South Africa to 13-12.

OUT! KNOCKED HIM OVER! Done and dusted! The West Indies go 2-0 up and seal the series with a spectacular victory at Tarouba! Matthew Forde executes another well-directed yorker attacking the off peg at 129 kph. Ottneil Baartman clears his front leg to make some room for himself to hit it through the off side, but fails to bring his bat down in time. The ball sneaks underneath his bat and disturbs the furniture in a flash. This is the third consecutive T20I series victory for the West Indies over South Africa now. The West Indian bowling unit appeared massively improved from the previous game and left the Proteas' batters reeling.

OUT! KNOCKED HIM OVER! Done and dusted! The West Indies go 2-0 up and seal the series with a spectacular victory at Tarouba! Matthew Forde executes another well-directed yorker attacking the off peg at 129 kph. Ottneil Baartman clears his front leg to make some room for himself to hit it through the off side, but fails to bring his bat down in time. The ball sneaks underneath his bat and disturbs the furniture in a flash. This is the third consecutive T20I series victory for the West Indies over South Africa now. The West Indian bowling unit appeared massively improved from the previous game and left the Proteas' batters reeling.

Forde bowls it full and outside off. Baartman swings and misses to the keeper.

Just in! Another attempted yorker around off, Kwena Maphaka jams it past the bowler and shoots off for a quick single. Ottneil Baartman however, sees the ball and not his partner who is already more than halfway through. He eventually runs to get to the other end as the fielder at mid on is quick onto the ball and rocket arms, and scores a direct hit at the striker's end. However, the replays show that Ottneil Baartman is just home in time. NOT OUT.

Short and dug into the pitch, angling into the batter. Ottneil Baartman swivels and pulls it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Nails in a perfect yorker, angling into the batter. Baartman is beaten for pace as he misses the flick onto the pads. They do cross for a leg bye as the ball rolls to the fine leg region. South Africa need 33 more to win from the last over. They needed 60 from the last eight overs or so, but they have dramatically slipped once again after being in control.

Full and outside off. Baartman goes for a drive without any foot movement and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Ottneil Baartman is the last man in for South Africa.