SA vs WI: West Indies Beat South Africa In Third T20I, End Series With Consolation Win

West Indies ended the T20I series on a positive note with a six-run victory over South Africa under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in the rain-affected third match at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday, finishing the series 2-1 in favour of the hosts.

The final T20I was reduced to a 10-overs-a-side contest following multiple weather interruptions and was played during South Africa’s annual pink fixture, aimed at raising awareness and funds for breast cancer treatment. Despite the stop-start nature of the game, a sell-out crowd witnessed an entertaining encounter ahead of next month’s T20 World Cup.

Batting first, West Indies posted 114 for 3 in their allotted 10 overs, thanks to composed and aggressive unbeaten knocks from Shimron Hetmyer and Shai Hope. Johnson Charles was dismissed for a duck early in the innings, but Hope set the tone with fluent strokeplay through the offside. Hetmyer then took control of the innings, striking the ball cleanly and clearing the ropes with ease. The left-hander hammered six sixes in his blistering 48 not out off just 22 balls, while Hope contributed 48 before falling late. Rovman Powell added valuable runs towards the end to push the total to a competitive score.

Due to the revised conditions, South Africa were set a target of 125. The hosts made a bright start, with Quinton de Kock scoring freely in the opening exchanges. However, momentum shifted as wickets began to fall at regular intervals. Aiden Markram departed early, and de Kock was dismissed for 28, handing Gudakesh Motie his first wicket of the series.

Dewald Brevis and Ryan Rickelton attempted to revive the chase with a quick partnership, but Motie struck again, removing both batters in the same over to put West Indies back in control. With South Africa needing 62 runs from the final four overs, the contest remained finely balanced heading into the closing stages.

Jason Smith and Tristan Stubbs tried to mount a late charge, but West Indies held their nerve under pressure. Shamar Joseph, playing his first match of the series, delivered a crucial final over, dismissing Smith with a well-directed yorker and conceding just enough runs to seal a narrow victory for the visitors.