1st T20I, St George's, June 26, 2021, 11:30 PM
South Africa
160/6(20.0ov)
West Indies
161/2(15.0ov)
West Indies beat South Africa by 8 wickets
Okay - on that note from the big man, experience certainly made its presence felt. West Indies have thumped the Proteas in the start of a bumper home season. Watch out, South Africa. Also be prepared, Australia. And all the best, Pakistan. As far as the T20 World Cup is concerned, it is certainly looking at someone who can challenge these blokes. But let's not go that far. The second T20I is almost upon us, with less than 24 hours to go. Join us then again, on Sunday, 27th June, 2021 at 2 pm local (1800 GMT). You can catch how the white-ball leg of the multi-format Indian Women's tour of England goes about in Bristol. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
Victorious West Indies captain, Kieron Pollard, says that they got in a pretty good start. Credits his bowlers for executing the laid-out plans well. Is happy with the positive attitude shown by his batsmen. Calls Evin Lewis a very talented guy and details that he has been doing it for the last couple of years, so it is not actually a big surprise to see him perform well. Ends by saying that compared to the Test side, the white-ball unit is more experienced.
South African skipper, Temba Bavuma, starts by saying that they are disappointed. Stresses that they didn't want to start this way but assures that the Proteas will come back stronger on Sunday, with greater execution. Adds that it was a decent score but they were relying very heavily on bowlers. Admits that they didn't capitalise on their batting in the second half. Honestly says that they were expecting the Windies to come hard at them with the bat, stressing the Lewis-Fletcher stand. Ends by saying that the Saffas have to be more tactically sound and come back stronger in the next game.
EVIN LEWIS HAS BEEN NAMED THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH. Lewis says that he is always backing his ability. Adds that it was a nice pitch to bat and that he is a very confident guy, Further says, if the ball is in his arc, he'll have a go but if not, then he will be happy with the single. On possible thoughts of a century, Lewis says that he was indeed thinking about it. Ends by saying that the team should capitalize on this win and carry on.
... THE PRESENTATION ...
Earlier, after electing to bowl, West Indies produced a reasonable bowling display, with Fabian Allen choking the Proteas. For all the big hitting that the Windies are known about, very rarely do they get praised for their bowling skills. They do not have world-class bowlers but they certainly have smart cricketers who know their job well. Please stay tuned for the presentation.
The South African bowling attack wears a forlorn look. Only Tabraiz Shamsi bore respectable figures while Anrich Nortje escaped with just the 2 overs. The rest, just got a tour around the park.
South Africa never even got a chance to understand what was happening. Evin Lewis started his innings with a six and kept dealing in boundaries throughout. His 35-ball 71 had 11 hits to the fence, 7 of them crossing the ropes on the full. 58 of his 71 came in boundaries, with the remaining 13 taking him 23 balls! Andre Fletcher and Chris Gayle played their part while Andre Russell came and finished it off. But really, it was Lewis who was running the show.
Wow. Done and dusted with 5 overs to spare. Would even 200 have made any difference? Don't think so. And the likes of Pollard and Holder did not even come out to bat. Fearsome. Really fearsome batting line up.
In over# 1
6
0
1
1
6
1
Lungi Ngidi 46/0(3)
14.6
6
SIX! West Indies win by 8 wickets. A length ball, outside off. Andre Russell gets low and drags it over mid-wicket for a six.
14.5
.
SWING AND A MISS! A back of a length ball, outside off. Russell slashes but misses.
14.4
1
Another short ball, on off. Gayle half-pulls it to mid-wicket for a single. Just 6 to win for West Indies.
14.3
1
Short ball, on middle. Andre Russell pulls it on the toes towards square leg for a single.
14.2
6
SIX! Smashed! Full ball, on middle. Andre Russell gets low and slogs it over mid-wicket for a biggie. That's gone on the second tier.
14.1
1
Eased down to mid-wicket for a single.
Change. Lungi Ngidi is back into the action.
In over# 1
4
0
1
0
4
1wd
6
George Linde 24/0(2)
13.6
4
FOUR! Whacked! Tosses it up, on middle. Russell goes on knee and slogs it between mid-wicket and square leg for a boundary.
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