The second T20 international match between South Africa and West Indies as part of West Indies’ tour of South Africa was a thrilling spectacle with South Africa performing remarkably at SuperSport Park in Centurion.
South Africa started their innings strongly in the power play against West Indies, scoring 102 runs without any losses, setting a new record for the highest power-play score in T20 Internationals. Previously, the highest power-play total was 98 runs by West Indies.
In addition, South Africa reached 200 runs in just 13.5 overs, making it the fastest 200 by a team in T20I cricket. South Africa chased a target of 259 runs, completing the biggest successful chase against West Indies, setting yet another record. Earlier, Australia had successfully chased down a target of 244 runs against New Zealand.
The match also saw the highest aggregate total for the two teams. For the first time in a T20 International, a total of more than five hundred runs were scored with a total of 517 runs scored between South Africa and West Indies.
West Indies’ Johnson Charles smashed a 39-ball century, hitting 11 sixes and 10 fours in his 118, as the team went on a record-breaking six-hitting rampage. The West Indies raced to 258 for five, their highest ever in T20 cricket and the joint sixth-highest in T20 internationals. Charles’ century was the fastest for the West Indies and the equal fourth-fastest in the format.
The Centurion ground lived up to its reputation as a high-scoring venue with its true pitch, fast outfield, and boundaries that proved too short for the power hitters in the thin air of the South African Highveld. Kyle Mayers hit four sixes in making 51. He shared a second-wicket stand of 135 off 58 balls with Charles after Brandon King fell to the third ball of the match. Romario Shepherd struck another four sixes towards the end as he plundered 41 not out from just 18 balls. Four South African bowlers conceded 20 or more runs in an over.
Although South Africa’s bowlers faced a challenging task in the match, left-armer Marco Jansen picked up three wickets for 52 runs, including Charles, who was forced into a rare defensive shot by a yorker that ricocheted from his pad onto his pad and into the stumps.
In the match, South Africa won the toss and elected to field. Overall, the match was an exciting and record-breaking event for both teams.
