Quinton de Kock’s maiden T20I century helped South Africa in defeating the West Indies by 6 wickets, proving to be dwarf to the biggest target in T20 cricket. For the first time, more than 500 runs were scored in a T20 match on the pitch of Supersports Park. A total of 517 runs were scored in this match in which 35 sixes were hit by both the teams. Johnson Charles played a stormy innings for the West Indies, scored a century in 39 balls including 11 sixes, which was the second fastest innings in the history of T20 cricket. The SuperSports Park pitch proved to forget for both sides bowlers, Kagiso Rabada being the only bowler to concede less than 10 runs per over.
West Indies innings
The West Indies lost the wicket of Brandon King early, followed by Johnson Charles and Kyle Mayers, while both delighted the spectators at Supersports Park with a flurry of sixes and fours, during which Kyle Kyle Mayers hit a 114-metre delivery from Sisanda Magala. Charles completed his 50 off 23 balls, Mayers completed 24 balls fifty. West Indies scored 137 for the loss of 1 wicket in the first 10 overs. However, after this, Marco Jansen gave some relief to the South African team by sending Nicholas Pooran to the pavilion along with Mayers and Charles, but Romario Shephered and Rovman Powell continued the flurry of sixes and fours and West Indies scored a mountain-like score of 258 runs in 20 overs.
South Africa’s response
In the first T20, Quinton de Kock, who was dismissed on the very first ball, appeared in a different form and made his intention clear by hitting 29 runs in the first over of Sheldon Cottrell, De Kock completed the fastest T20 half-century for South Africa in just 15 balls. However, Quinton de Kock got a lifeline of Akeal Hosein on 32 and it proved very costly in the end for the West Indies. Quinton de Kock played a century in 43 balls. Reeza Hendricks innings of 68 off 28 balls dwarfed the game’s score of 258. South Africa scored 259 runs for the loss of 4 wickets and won the match by 6 wickets, which became the biggest win in T20 history while chasing runs.
Brief Scores:
West Indies: 5/258 over 20, Johnson Charles 118, Kyle Mayers 51, Romario Shephered 41, Rovman Powell 28, Marco Jansen 3/52, Wayne Parnell 2/43
South Africa: 4/259 over 18.5, Quinton de Kock 100, Reeza Hendricks 68, Adien Markram 38, Rovman Powell 1/27, Raymon Reifer 1/42