West Indies/South Africa T/20 series locked

THE CG INSURANCE T/20 series between West Indies and South Africa, resumes today from 2 pm at the Grenada National Stadium, with the five-match series locked 1-1.

When the second match was played on Sunday at the same venue, South Africa rebounded from their loss on Saturday, to win by 16 runs.

But it was the West Indies’ batting which was unable to repeat the pyrotechnics of Saturday, and set up the intrigue in the series.

In Sunday’s second match, chasing 167 to win, West Indies could only reach 150 for 9 from their 20 overs. Andre Fletcher hit 35, Fabian Allen, 34, laced with 5 sixes, Evin Lewis, 21 and Jason Holder, 20.

Bowling for South Africa, Kagiso Rabada had 3 for 37 and George Linde, 2 for 19.

South Africa had made 166 for 7 from their 20 overs. Temba Bavuma scored 46, Reeza Hendricks, 42 and Quinton de Kock, 26. Obed Mc Coy picked off 3 for 25 and Kevin St Clair, 2 for 23, bowling for the West Indies.

When the series got going on Saturday at the same venue, West Indies’ batting was ruthless, posting 161 for 2 with 30 balls to spare.

In the successful run chase, Evin Lewis at the top of the order slammed 7 sixes and 4 fours in his 71. He and Andre Fletcher (30), posted a first-wicket stand of 85 from 7 overs, to set the tone for the rest of the reply. Veteran Chris Gayle scored 32 not out and Andre Russell, 23 not out, to formalize the win for the regional team.

In the first half of the match, South Africa asked to bat, reached 160 for 6, from their 20 overs.

Rassie van der Dussen hit 56 and Quinton de Kock, 37. Fabian Allen had 2 for 18 and Dwayne Bravo, 2 for 30.