MARKRAM AND PROTEAS CRUSH WINDIES IN T20 OPENER
South Africa has made a bold statement in their three-match T20 international series against the West Indies, cruising to a nine-wicket victory in the opening match at Boland Park in Paarl on Tuesday.
Captain Aiden Markram was at the heart of the Proteas’ dominant performance, smashing a career-best unbeaten 86 off 47 balls to lead the chase with authority.
He struck nine fours and three towering sixes, and never looked in trouble as South Africa chased down the Windies’ competitive 173/7 with 13 balls to spare.
A strong supporting cast backed up Markram’s knock. Ryan Rickelton held firm with 40 not out, combining for an unbeaten 93-run second-wicket stand, while Lhuan-dre Pretorius laid the early platform with a solid 44.
That trio’s partnerships took the pressure off and kept the chase smooth from start to finish.
On a night where the Proteas needed rhythm and momentum, they found both. South Africa’s bowlers did their bit too.
Left-arm spinner George Linde grabbed 3/25, using flight and guile to choke the Windies middle order, and Keshav Maharaj chipped in with a couple of crucial wickets to stem any late surges.
For the West Indies, Shimron Hetmyer was the most threatening with a gritty 48 off 32 balls, and he shared a 74-run stand with Rovman Powell. But without big partnerships elsewhere, they couldn’t set a total that proved truly daunting.
The result gives South Africa a 1-0 lead in the series and plenty of confidence as they gear up for the next match in Pretoria on Thursday, with a chance to go 2-0 up before the finale in Johannesburg.
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