South Africa vs West Indies, WI in SA, 3 T20Is, 2026 Jan 27 Full score card

FOUR! Aiden Markram hits the winning runs! Jason Holder goes short again and on middle, Markram picks up the length early and pulls it between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for a boundary. SOUTH AFRICA WIN BY 9 WICKETS!

SIX! Shot of the match so far! Jason Holder bangs this into the pitch and around off. Aiden Markram backs away to give himself some room, extends his arms and plays it like a tennis player to flat-bat it over the long off fence for a biggie. Just 2 to win now.

Short of a length and on off, Rickelton pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Fuller and on middle and leg, Markram flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

On a length and on middle, Markram tucks it with soft hands through mid-wicket and comes back for the second run. Just 10 runs needed now.

Another yorker, on middle, Markram jams it out to long on for a single.

Good fielding! Short of a length and outside off, Markram cuts it wide of point. Joseph dives to his right and gets a hand on it to make a half-stop. He gets up and goes after it to keep it down to two runs. This is now Markram's highest T20I score.

Back of a length and around off, Ryan punches it through covers for another run.

Full and on leg, Markram flicks it away to deep square leg for a run.

Nails the yorker, on middle, tailing in, Markram gets his bat down in time to dig it out.

Fuller and on off, Rickelton drives it to long off for a single.

Overpitched and on off, Rickelton drills it to long off for one.

Fuller and around off, Rickelton reaches out and forces it wide of sweeper cover and calls his partner for the second. Markram is running to the danger end, and Joseph throws it to the bowler, but Markram gets in.

WIDE! Back of a length but a bit too outside off, Rickelton tries to cut but misses. Given as a wide.

Fuller and on leg, Markram glances it to deep fine leg for one. 22 needed in 26 now.

FOUR! Pierced the gap perfectly! Pitched up, almost in the blockhole, on off. Markram opens the face of his bat late and squeezes it between short third and backward point for a boundary.

Fuller and angling into leg, Rickelton looks to flick it away but misses as the ball goes off his pads towards square leg. A leg bye taken. Rickelton is not happy with himself, as this was there to be put away.

Short of a length and around leg, Markram backs away and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Fuller and on off, RR drills it towards long off and takes him. Turns around for the second and makes it easily. Excellent running between the wickets!

Pitched up and on off, Rickelton lobs it past the bowler towards long off for another couple of runs.

On a length and on leg, Ryan tucks it with soft hands through mid-wicket and comes back for the secone run.

SIX! Gets all of it! Banged into the pitch but around leg. Rickelton gets inside the line of it and just helps it on its way over the deep fine leg fence for a biggie.

Short of a length and outside off, Markram punches it wide of sweeper cover for a run. Rickelton sets off for the second but is sent back. The throw from the deep is a weak one and to the wrong end as well. That also brings up the 50-run stand between these two batters.

Slower, full and on leg, Rickelton tucks it towards square leg for a single.

FOUR! That spoils the over! Romario Shepherd tries the yorker but just strays into the leg side. Aiden Markram just has to get some bat on it with fine leg up in the circle and tickles it away to the fence for a boundary. The extra ball cost the Windies here.

WIDE! Short of a length but down the leg side, Markram leaves it alone. Called a wide.

A full toss, outside off, Rickelton swings hard and slices it in the air. It drops well ahead of long off. They cross.

Swing and a miss! Clever change of pace from Shepherd. He bangs this into the pitch, outside off, Rickelton goes through his pull miles early and fails to connect.

Back of a length and on off, Rickelton punches it straight to extra cover.

Fuller and angling into leg, Markram comes forwad and heaves it off the inner half of the bat to deep square leg for a single.

Slower one, on a length and around off, Markram guides it to backward point.

Fuller and on off, angling in. Markram backs away, waits for it and stabs it from right in front of the stumps towards short third for one. 50 needed in 42 balls now.

FOUR! Put away! Hard-length delivery, outside off, takes pace off. Markram reads it early, gets on top of it and slaps it through extra cover for a boundary.

Uppish but safe! Short of a length and on leg, Rickelton looks to clip it away but gets a leading edge. It lobs up in the air and safely in the vacant square leg region. They cross.

Bangs in a quick short ball, on middle. Rickelton goes for the pull but gets beaten by the pace as it goes off his body towards point.

Back of a length and on middle and leg, Rickelton gets cramped up and pats it to the leg side.

Fuller and outside off, Markram reaches out and carves it to sweeper cover for a single.

Flatter, full and on middle, Rickelton clips it wide of deep mid-wicket for a brace.

DROPPED! Tossed up, full and on off, Rickelton tries to smack it down the ground but fails to get under it. He hits it flat and hard, uppishly back to the bowler. Chase gets both hands on it but fails to hold on to it. The Windies have to take even the half-chances to get back in this game.

Fires this full and outside off, RR jams it out to short cover.

SIX! Ryan Rickelton goes big now! This is tossed up, full and around middle, Rickelton goes down on one knee and nails the slog sweep over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

Flatter, full and on middle, Markram drills it to long on for a run.

Short and around off, Ryan punches it  through cover-point for a single.

FIFTY FOR MARKRAM! A fantastic half-century from him, his has come in quick time as well, just 28 balls. This is short and on off, Aiden Markram moves back and punches it wide of long off and calls for the second run. Rickelton has to hurry to the other but makes his ground.

Flighted, full and on leg, Rickelton goes down and sweeps it to deep square leg for one.

Flatter, full and around off, Markram drills it to long off for another run.

Slows it up, full and on off, Rickelton strides out and taps it towards extra cover for a run.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Markram drives it to long on for a single.

SIX! That has gone miles! Akeal Hosein drops it short and around off, begging to be put away. Aiden Markram rocks back quickly and pulls it with disdain over the deep square leg fence for a biggie. 100 UP FOR THE PROTEAS!

DRINKS! South Africa are crusing along this chase, thanks to the explosive start from their openers. Lhuan-dre Pretorius led the way, but got out just before his fifty. However, Aiden Markram is continuing to attack, and at the moment, it looks like they will chase this down with many balls to spare. West Indies need someone to step up and deliver something special, as only wickets can get them back in this game. Also, Akeal Hosein to bowl after the break,

Flighted full, turning into off. Markram flicks it through mid-wicket for a single. At the halfway mark, the Proteas are 95/1. They need another 79 off the next ten overs.

Quicker arm ball, outside the leg pole. Rickelton makes room and knocks it toward deep mid-wicket for one.

Flatter and quicker on off. Markram lifts it toward long off for one more.

Quicker length ball, on the leg. Rickelton works it through mid-wicket for a single.

Flatter arm ball, on off. Knocked toward the right of the bowler.

FOUR! Nicely done! Tossed up full, on the middle and off. Rickelton brings out the reverse sweep and gets it toward the deep backward point region for a clever boundary.

Yorker length ball, at the stumps. Rickelton bunts it past the bowler and toward mid off for a single.

Slower and shorter, around off. Markram advances and half pulls it toward long on for one.

Slower ball on a length, just outside off. Markram looks to cut gets cramped and ends up chopping into the off-side.

Pace off on a length, on off. Knocked down to long on for a single.

Back of a length, just outside off. Rickelton rides the bounce and steers it toward backward point.

Fuller than a length, outside off. Driven nicely toward long off for one.

Flatter arm ball, on middle. Rickelton knocks it back to the bowler.

Ryan Rickelton joins Markram in the middle.

OUT! TAKEN! CHASE GETS THE MUCH-NEEDED WICKET. Looped up full, on the middle and leg stump line. Pretorius sits on his knee and slogs it hard and flat toward deep mid-wicket, where Forde takes a sharp catch tumbling to his left. Pretorius departs for a well-made 44. South Africa lose their first after a solid opening stand.

Tad short, quicker, on the middle. Pretorius half pulls it past the bowler, down to long on for two more.

Flatter arm ball, around off. Markram carves it toward deep backward point for a single.

Tad short, outside off. Chopped into covers for a single.

FOUR! No need to run for it! Fuller and quicker on off. Pretorius dances down and smashes it over the bowler's head. Chase, on his follow-through, tries to get his hands up quickly, but it is hit very hard, and brushes his fingers to race away to the fence behind for a boundary.

Tad short, around off. Markram goes back and pulls it toward the vacant wide long on region for a brace.

Flatter on off. Pretorius reverses it toward a deep backward point for a single.

Tossed up full, on the leg. Markram works it through mid-wicket for one.

On a length, on the middle and leg. Pretorius hangs back and nudges it through mid-wicket for one more.

Flatter, just outside off. Markram cuts this to deep cover point for a single.

Tossed up on a length, on off. Pretorius knocks it toward the wide of mid on for one.

Yorker length delivery, just outside off. Pretorius bunts it past the bowler and down the ground for a single. South Africa are 68/0 after the Powerplay.

On a length, on the leg pole. Markram flicks it toward deep mid-wicket for one.

WIDE! Slower and shorter, angling down the leg. Markram looks to pull but misses. Wide signaled by the umpire.

Pace off on a length, on the leg. Markram works it through the gap at backward square leg for a couple.

Another slower ball on a fullish length, just outside off. Pretorius drags it through square leg for one.

FOUR! What a shot! Slower ball on the length, around off. Pretorius gets the bottom hand into play and pulls it through mid-wicket for a cracking boundary.

SIX! Clean strike! Slower ball on the full, just outside off. Pretorius picks it early and pumps it over long on for half a dozen.

Back of a length again, on off and middle. Pretorius swat-pulls it through mid-wicket for one.

Back of a length on off. Pretorius gets on top of the bounce and defends into the off side.

IN THE AIR AND DROPPED! Short of a good length, shaping away, around off. Markram looks to hit it on the up, but miscues the loft toward the extra cover region, where Hosein puts down a simple chance. Single taken.

SIX! ALL THE WAY! Full pitcher on the leg. Markram picks it early and whacks it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. Also, 50 up for South Africa inside 5 overs!

Fuller than a length, outside off. Drilled toward the wide of mid off region and they take a single.

FOUR! Holder is greeted with a boundary! Back of a length, outside off. Pretorius rides the bounce and steers it through the gap at backward point and the point fielder for a lovely boundary.

Fired in on the middle and leg. Pretorius bunts it toward mid on for a quick single. Just 5 runs off the fourth over.

Darted full, on the leg. Pretorius misses the flick and wears on the pad. Three dots in a row.

Tossed up around off. Pretorius mistimes the slog toward mid on for none.

Flatter on the middle. Pretorius drags it toward short mid-wicket.

FOUR! Over the top! Flighted full, on off. Pretorious shimmies down and lifts it over the bowler, toward straightish long on for a thumping boundary.

Fuller and quicker, at the stumps. Pretorius bunts it back to the bowler.

FOUR! Punished! Hosein drops it short, on off. Markram rocks back and forces the pull through wide of mid-on for a boundary to end the over. After three overs, South Africa are 34/0.

Flatter arm ball, on off. Markram stays back and knocks it toward short extra cover.

Tossed up on a length, on off. Pretorius shimmies down and nudges it toward backward square leg for one.

On a length, attacking the stumps. Punched down to long off for one.

WIDE! Quicker arm ball, sliding down the leg. Markram lets it go. Wide signaled.

Flatter delivery on off. Pretorius works it through the gap at mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! He made it look so easy! Tossed up full, just outside off. Pretorius makes room and drills it past the bowler and down the ground for a boundary to start the over.

Time for spin. Akeal Hosein comes into the attack..

FOUR! Up and over! Fuller than a length, around off. Markram plays a lovely lofted drive over covers for a majestic boundary to end the over. South Africa are off to a brisk start.

Skiddy, short of a good length ball, angled into middle. Markram flicks it to the man at short mid-wicket.

Back of a length, on off. Markram gets on top of the bounce and knocks it toward short extra cover.

LEG BYE! Fuller than a length on the leg. Pretorius misses the flick and it rolls off the pad toward backward square leg for a leg bye.

FOUR! That sounded so good off the bat! Short of a good length, around off. Pretorius presses forward and times it nicely through covers for a glorious boundary.

Fuller than a good length, shapes back into off. Pretorius comes forward and defends it toward mid on.

Jayden Seales will share the attack.

FOUR MORE! Sublime! Fuller than a good length, around off. Markram gets on the front foot and times it through the gap at covers for a third boundary in the over. 13 runs off the opening over in the chase of 174.

Tight line and length on off. Markram gets forward and defends from the crease.

FOUR! Lovely! Slower ball on the full, just outside off. Markram gets forward and drives it through extra cover and wide of mid-off for a classy boundary.

Fuller than a good length, on off. Markram knocks it toward the man at mid off.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Full and wide outside off. Markram leans into it and creams the drive through covers for a boundary to get off the mark.

The Proteas are away with a single. Back of a length, angling into off. Pretorius tucks it toward the gap at backward square leg for a single.

Just a single to end the innings! George Linde bowls this quicker and shorter, on middle. Romario Shepherd stays back and flat-bats it hard and aerially back towards the bowler. Linde does well to get his hands in the way of it as it is travelling really hard. Harsh on him to call it a dropped chance. It deflects away and the batters get one. Linde certainly saves three for his team. West Indies finish on 173/7.

Who faces the last ball? It will be Romario Shepherd.

OUT! TAKEN! George Linde gets his third now. He tosses it up, full and around off. Jason Holder stretches out in front and tries to loft it down the ground, but gets no timing at all. It goes high in the air towards long off, where Corbin Bosch comes forward and pouches it safely. Windies are seven down now!

Gets the yorker right, on off, Powell jams it out to extra cover for a run.

WIDE! Fires this full but way outside off, Powell leaves it alone.

Fligthed, full and around off, Holder slices it over point for a run.

Jason Holder is the next batter in.

OUT! TAKEN! George Linde gets a crucial wicket here. Not a wicket-taking delivery, as he bowls a quick full toss on off. Shimron Hetmyer opens up his stance and looks to smash it over deep mid-wicket, but loses his shape and does not get the elevation. It flies flat and Dewald Brevis near the ropes, grabs it with a reverse cup. However, he realises that the momentum is taking him over, so he flicks the ball in the air, goes out and then comes back in to complete the catch. Good athleticism from him and Hettie has to walk back for a fine 48 off 32.

Is that a clean catch? Dewald Brevis has taken a relay catch at the ropes, but the umpire wants to make sure the legality of it. Brevis looks pretty confident, and the replay confirms that it is a fair grab.

Floated, short and around off, Powell looks to push it away but gets an inside edge to the leg side for a single. Good result for WI, as the leftie will now face the left-arm spinner.

Last over coming up. It will be George Linde (3-0-20-1) to bowl it. Can he keep the Windies under 180 here?

Hard length and around middle, Powell pulls it to deep square leg for one more. 14 runs off the penultimate over.

FOUR! Gets it away! Misses the yorker and serves a low full toss, on the pads. Powell is not going to miss out on that and whips it to the deep square leg fence for a boundary.

WIDE! Fuller but down the leg side, Powell misses his flick. Called a wide.

Another fine yorker, on middle, Powell digs it onto his pads as the ball drops on the pitch.

Right in the blockhole, outside off, Hettie jams it out towards cover for a run.

SIX! Poor judgment in the deep! Corbin Bosch just misses his yorker and bowls a low full toss, on middle. Shimron Hetmyer lofts it from the toe-end of his bat down towards long on. Kwena Maphaka runs forward a bit too much as he fails to judge the flight of the ball. He extends his left arm to grab it but it goes over for a biggie. If he stayed on the ropes, it would have been an easy catch.

Fuller and on off, Powell looks to slog it down the ground but his bat turns in his hand and he ends up slicing it over point for a single.

Sharp bowling! A quick bouncer, on middle and leg, Hettie ducks under it. Just 4 runs off the over!

On a length and on off, Powell taps it to the off side for a quick one.

A loopy low full toss, outside off. Hetmyer moves to the leg side, has to reach out for it and only manages to pump it to long off for another run.

Short of a length and on middle, pace on this time, Powell gets hurried and mistimes his pull towards square leg for a run.

A back-of-the-hand slower one, back of a length and on middle. Powell fails to read it and goes through his pull early to miss it.

A slower one, on a hard length and around off, Hetmyer stabs it out to extra cover for a single.

Goes fuller and outside off, Hettie reaches out to drill it away but gets an inside edge to the leg side for one. Rabada finishes a wicketless spell. Also, 150 up for West Indies!

Short again and on middle, Powell pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

A slower bouncer, on middle, angling. Powell goes through his shot early and misses.

SIX! Oh..that sounded sweet! Kagiso Rabada lands this short of a length, on middle, but not short enough to trouble the batter. Rovman Powell picks up the length in a trice and whacks it from the meaty part of the bat over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

In the air....SAFE again! Fuller and on middle, Hetmyer looks to slog it away but gets a top edge that flies over the bowler's head. Maharaj from mid off runs a long way to his left, dives but still fails to reach it. A single taken.

Back of a length and outisde off again, takes pace off. Hetmyer has a heave across the line but gets a bottom edge back towards the keeper.

WIDE! Fuller but a bit too outside off, Hettie leaves it alone. Wided.

Hits the length hard, on middle, Powell flat-bats it down the pitch where it hits the stumps at the other end and goes nowhere. Unlucky for the batter!

Bangs ths into the pitch, on middle, Hetmyer pulls it to deep square leg for one.

Hard length and on middle, skids through Hetmyer gets hurried and stabs it to he left of the bowler.

Back of a length and on off, Hettie dabs it to point.

FOUR! Good shot! Short of a length and just outside off, Hettie manages to get on top of the bounce and smacks it over extra cover. The fielder in the deep runs to his left and dives but fails to stop the boundary.

On a length and on off, Powell taps it to the off side and sets off for the run. There is a bit of hesitation between the batters but by the time Bosch gets to the ball, they are safe.

West Indies have scored 46 runs in the last 5 overs, losing 1 wicket. They have changed gears at the right time here and will look to finish well. Also, Corbin Bosch (2-0-15-2) is back on.

Uppish but safe! A well-directed bouncer, on middle. Powell looks to pull but gets a top edge. It flies towards deep square leg but lands well ahead of the fielder. One taken.

Good length and on middle, Powell looks to flick it away but misses and gets hit on the pads as the ball deflects away towards point.

Fuller and on middle, Powell tucks it with soft hands and calls for two. Hettie responds well but has to put in a dive at the other to make his ground.

Gets away with it! Hard length and around off, Hettie swings hard across the line but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball rolls towards point. They cross.

FOUR MORE! Bangs this into the pitch, on middle. Shimron Hetmyer picks up the length early, but still gets a bit hurried. He pulls it from the upper half of the bat but manages to find the gap at the deep mid-wicket fence for another boundary. Oh! There is a No Ball check and the replay shows that Maphaka has overstepped. Free Hit to follow.

FOUR! This is excellent batting! Short of a length and outside off. Hetmyer gets the chance to free his arms and crunches it through extra cover for a boundary. The momentum is shifting now.

Fuller and on middle, Hetmyer drills it to wide mid on.

Short again and around off, Hettie guides it through point for on. 16 runs off the over!

Flatter, short and around off, Hetmyer stays back and swipes it wide of deep mid-wicket for a brace.

SIX! Goes again and sends this into the stands! Flighted, full and on middle, Hettie gives the charge again and heaves it powerfully over the deep square leg fence for half a dozen more.

Short and around off, Hetmyer punches it to cover-point. He is disappointed, he did not get it through.

SIX! Up, up and away! Tossed up, full and on middle, Hettie skips down the track to get to the pitch and smokes it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a 102-METER biggie.

Floated, short and on middle, Powell moves back and pats it down to long on for a single.

A slower one, hard length and outside off, keeps a bit low too. Hettie slashes at it but it goes under his bat to the keeper. Just 2 runs off the over!

Short of a length and on middle, takes off sharply Powell rides it well and tucks it through square leg for a run.

Good length and on off, holds its line, Powell gets squared up while playing that and gets a leading edge as the ball rolls towards short cover.

Fuller and on off, Hetmyer flicks it away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Bangs this into the pitch, outside off, Hetmyer steps out, tries to reach out but only manages to stab it to short cover.

Back of a length and around off, Hettie punches it to extra cover.

Short and outside off, Powell cuts it through point for a brace.

Slows it up, full and on middle, Powell gets forward and blocks it out.

FOUR! Nicely done! Flatter, full and on middle and leg. Powell goes down ealry and paddles it away fine and wide of deep fine leg for a boundary. 100 UP FOR THE WINDIES!

Oh..turn! Floated, full and on off, grips and turns away sharply. Powell plays well inside the line of it as it goes through to the keeper.

Fires one full and on leg, Powell misses his flick as the ball goes off his pads towards the fine leg region for a couple of leg byes.

Windies lose half their side now. Rovman Powell comes out to the middle now.

OUT! DRAGGED ON! George Linde comes back into the attack and strikes right away. He floats it up, full and outside off. Roston Chase makes room and tries to loft it over covers but this is too far away from his reach. He only manages to get an inside edge back onto his stumps. This is the third time a Windies batter has dragged it onto the stumps. Chase walks back for 22 off 18, and West Indies are 95/5 now.

Hits the legnth hard, on off, Chases rides the bounce well and runs it to deep third for one more.

On a length and around leg, Chase flicks it wide of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Short again and on of, Hetmyer heaves it to deep mid-wicket for one.

In the air...SAFE! Bangs this short into the pitch, on midlde and leg. Chase backs away for the pull but gets hurried. It takes the top edge and goes up in the air but lands in safely in the vacant mid-wicket region. They cross.

Short of a length and on off, Hettie rolls his wrists and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Back of a length and arond off, Chase opens the face of his bat and steers it to deep third for a single.

DRINKS! At the halfway stage, the West Indies are steady at 88 for 4. The run rate is healthy, but losing four wickets is a concern they would have preferred to avoid. With Roston Chase and Shimron Hetmyer at the crease, and Rovman Powell waiting in the wings, the Men in Maroon still possess plenty of firepower. South Africa, on the other hand, will be aiming to take wickets and tighten the run flow to keep the Windies under 160. Also, Kwena Maphaka to bowl after the break.

FOUR! Over the top! Tossed up full, on the middle. Hetmyer shimmies down and lifts it over the bowler's head and toward straightish long on for a boundary.

Shorter and wider outside off. Chase reaches for it and cuts it uppishly off the splice, over the backward point fielder for just one.

Arm ball, outside off. Hetmyer carves it toward deep backward point and gets off the mark with a single.

Flatter and quicker on off. Chase makes room and slaps this to deep cover for a single.

Tossed up full, on the middle and leg. Chase shimmies down and chips it toward the long on region for a couple.

Fuller arm ball, on the leg. Chase misses the flick and wears on the pad.

Back of a length, on off. Hetmyer rides the bounce and defends it toward backward point.

On a length, angling across the batter. Hetmyer lets it go.

Shimron Hetmyer joins Chase in the middle.

OUT! SHARP CATCH SENDS FORDE PACKING! Short of a good length, angling into the middle and leg stump line. Forde shimmies down and tries to loft it over the long on boundary. Fails to get the elevation or the distance and is taken by Rabada, who comes in from the ropes and takes a sharp grab diving forward. The West Indies lose their fourth.

WIDE! Slower, short of a good length, well wide outside the off-stump. Forde gets too far across the line, looking to ramp but fails to connect. A harsh call by the umpire.

Skiddy length ball, at the stumps. Forde knocks it toward mid on.

On a hard length, on off. Chase guides it with an angled bat through the right of the backward point fielder for a single.

FOUR! Uppish and safe! Fuller than a length, outside off. Chase plays it away from the body and slices the drive over backward point for a boundary.

SIX! BOOM! Tossed up full, on the middle and leg. Forde makes room, sits on his knee, and slogs it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. He spoils a tidy over for Linde.

On a length, on off. Chase stays back and works it wristly through the mid-wicket region for a single.

Tad short, quicker, around off. Forde stays back and half pulls it toward long on for one.

Floated full, sliding into the middle and leg. Chase turns it off the inner half toward deep square leg for a single.

Tossed up full, attacking the stumps. Chase pushes it toward the man at short cover.

Flatter delivery, outside off. Forde cuts it hard through covers for one.

Short of a good length, angling across the batter. Chase plays away from the body and fails to connect.

Back of a length, just outside off. Forde shimmies down and forces the slap toward mid off for a single.

Banged in short, on the middle and leg stump line. Forde sits under it and lets it go. Good bumper from the young Maphaka.

Fuller than a length, angling across the batter. Forde swings and misses.

Back of a length, around off. Chase punches this toward deep cover point for a single.

FOUR! Edged and safe! Short of a good length, angling away, around off. Chase has a poke at it, gets the outside edge that evades the dive of the keeper to his right, and runs down to deep third for four runs.

SIX! High and handsome! Floated full, on the middle and leg. Forde dances down and pumps it over long on for half a dozen. After the Powerplay, the West Indies are 57/3.

Tossed up full, on the middle. Chase prods and works it off the inner half toward square leg for one.

Skipper Roston Chase comes in next for the West Indies.

OUT! PLAYED ON! Flatter delivery, coming on with the arm, on off, and Maharaj gets it to turn after pitching. Rutherford makes room to carve through the off-side, but gets the inside edge, and he chops it back onto the stumps. Huge wicket for the visitors as the in-form Rutherord departs early. Three down now inside the Powerplay.

Fuller and quicker, sliding into the middle and leg. Forde advances and heaves it off the inner half toward deep mid-wicket for one.

Tosses it full, around off. Rutherford looks to drive and gets the outside edge that goes quickly to the short third fielder, who collects and gets the direct hit at the bowler's end. Appeal for run out is sent upstairs. The replays show that Rutherford has just made his ground. Single taken.

Flatter delivery, turning into the middle and leg stump line. Rutherford stays back and looks to work it across the line, but he misses and gets struck in front. Appeal from the bowler for LBW, but the umpire turns it down. South Africa take the review. The Ball Tracking shows it as pitching outside the leg pole, and the on-field decision of NOT OUT, stays.

Back of a length, outside off. Forde plays and misses. After 5 overs, the West Indies are 48/2.

Banged in short, around the right shoulder. Rutherford pulls it off the glove, toward short fine leg for one.

FOUR! Top shot! Fuller than a length, just outside off. Rutherford leans forward and drives it crisply through covers for a sublime boundary.

On a hard length, on off. Rutherford knocks it toward mid off.

The next batter walking out is Sherfane Rutherford.

OUT! CHOPPED ON! Bosch has the last laugh. Fuller than a good length outside off. King tries to drag it from outside into the leg side, but gets the inside edge, and he ends up disturbing his stumps. He hangs his head in disappointment but has to walk back for 27 off 16. Both the openers are gone now.

FOUR! Bosch is greeted in style! Fuller than a length, around off. King gets forward and times it through the gap at extra cover and mid off for a lovely boundary.

Corbin Bosch comes into the attack.

Tossed up full, at the stumps. Forde defends it down the pitch.

Matthew Forde gets a promotion to number 3.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! KESHAV MAHARAJ DRAWS FIRST BLOOD. Tosses it full, sliding into the off and middle stump line. Charles sits on his knee and looks to slog sweep but the ball skids through and crashes into the stumps. Charles departs after a brisk start. West Indies are rocked early.

Very full, almost a yorker, outside off. Charles squeezes it to short third.

FOUR! Smart batting! Flatter arm ball, on the middle and leg. Charles makes room and carves it through the gap at cover and point for a clever boundary.

SIX! Too Easy! Tossed up full, on the leg pole. Charles sits on his knee and helps the sweep over the long leg fence for a biggie.

Flatter and follows the batter, outside the leg pole. Charles makes room and knocks it toward mid on.

FOUR! Finds the gap! On a hard length, around off. King shimmies down and thrashes this through the gap at covers for a cracking boundary to end the third over.

SIX! BANG! Fuller than a length, on middle. King dances down the pitch, makes room, and smokes it over the long off fence for half a dozen.

Full pitcher, follows the batter, outside the leg stump. King gives himself some room early and looks to flick through the on-side, but ends up getting an inside edge onto the pad.

Slower ball on a length, on the middle and leg. Charles drags the heave toward the deep backward square leg region for just a single.

WIDE! Banged in short, around off, and goes way over the batter. Charles lets it go. Wide signaled by the umpire.

LEG BYE! Slower ball on a length, angling into the leg pole. King looks to work it across the line but misses. The ball clips the pad, rolls toward backward point for a leg bye.

Fuller than a good length, attacking the stumps. Charles heaves it off the inner half toward mid-wicket. Half a stop from the fielder allows the single.

Short and wide outside off. King cuts it off the toe end and picks out the man at backward point.

FOUR! Powerful shot! Flatter and quicker, just outside off. King makes room and slaps it over covers for a cracking boundary.

Flatter arm ball, angled into the leg pole. King backs away and forces the cut shot to the cover fielder.

Tad short, outside off. King hangs back and cuts it straight to the man at cover point.

Fuller and quicker on the leg. King sweeps it off the pad toward short fine leg for none.

BYE! Fuller and drifting down the leg. Charles plays and misses. A fumble from the keeper, Rickelton, allows a bye.

Spin from the other end. George Linde will share the attack.

Back of a length, angled into the middle and leg. King rides the bounce and tucks it toward short mid-wicket. 10 runs off the opening over.

Full pitcher on off. Charles works it toward the gap at wide of mid on and picks up a single.

On a length, on the leg pole. King flicks this toward deep backward square leg for a single.

Short of a good length, angled into the middle and leg. King tucks into the leg side.

FOUR MORE! Two in two! On a hard length, angled into the middle. King presses forward and times it past the bowler, through straightish mid on for another lovely boundary.

FOUR! West Indies are away in style! Fuller than a good length, outside off. King gets on the front foot and lofts it over the extra cover and the mid off region for a thumping boundary to get off the mark.

All in readiness! We can see the South African players make their way out to the middle and spread out to take the fielding positions. Brandon King and Johnson Charles are the two openers for West Indies. Kagiso Rabada has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. A slip in place. Let's play...

West Indies (Playing XI) - Brandon King, Johnson Charles (WK), Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase (C), Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Jayden Seales.

South Africa (Playing XI) - Aiden Markram (C), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Ryan Rickelton (WK), Dewald Brevis, Rubin Hermann, Jason Smith, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka.

Captain of West Indies - Roston Chase says that they would have bowled first as well. Adds that he expects the wicket to get better under lights. Mentions that he has a bit of intel about the conditions after playing in the SA20 and also a bit of statistics from the analysts. Says that before the World Cup, they have a blueprint, and they would like to follow the process and tick all the boxes. Tells that they want to win to get some confidence before the big event. Further adds that some of the guys have been playing a lot of cricket, but some haven't, so they want to find their best combinations. Informs that Hope is out with a niggle, while Sampson, Motie and Joseph are not playing this game.

Skipper of South Africa - Aiden Markram says the ball comes on better under lights and that he's comfortable chasing on this surface. Markram adds that while they do look at the numbers, the feedback and intel from players carry more weight in assessing how the wicket plays and what scores are chaseable. He mentions that the team is keen to carry confidence into the World Cup, with everyone in good form, and that they are focused on ticking the final boxes ahead of the mega event. Markram confirms that Ryan Rickelton will bat at number three, with himself and de Kock expected to open once de Kock returns, while the finishers will continue in their defined roles. He also confirms that Keshav Maharaj and George Linde are the two spinners in the XI, with himself if needed to bowl, while Kwena Maphaka, Corbin Bosch, and Rabada are the pacers.

TOSS - The coin lands in favour of Aiden Markram and South Africa will BOWL first.

Men in Maroon Mean Business - On the other hand, the West Indies are coming off a 2–1 loss to Afghanistan in Dubai, although several first-choice players were absent on that tour. Shai Hope returns to lead a side packed with experience and power, including Jason Holder, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, and Sherfane Rutherford. The bowling unit also looks strengthened with the inclusion of Akeal Hosein, while Jayden Seales, Shamar Joseph, and Matthew Forde will aim to refine their roles during the series. The Men in Maroon have a well-balanced squad and are expected to provide a stern challenge to the hosts. With quality players on both sides, this series promises to be a captivating contest. So, who will draw first blood? We’ll find out soon. Toss and team news coming up shortly. Stay tuned.

A Strong Squad, but Missing Key Pieces - Led by Aiden Markram, South Africa boasts several match-winners, including Dewald Brevis, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Keshav Maharaj. However, the Proteas are dealing with injury setbacks, with David Miller, Tony de Zorzi, and Donovan Ferreira ruled out of the series. Miller continues his battle to regain full fitness ahead of the T20 World Cup. Tristan Stubbs and Ryan Rickelton have been named as replacements for de Zorzi and Ferreira for both the series and the World Cup. Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Eathan Bosch have been added to the squad for this first T20I, with Stubbs, Marco Jansen, and Quinton de Kock unavailable for selection. South Africa last featured in a T20I series against India, where they went down 3–1, and will be eager to start this campaign on a positive note.

Old Rivals, New Battle - Another day, another T20I series gets underway as teams continue their build-up to the upcoming T20 World Cup. South Africa hosts the West Indies in a three-match series, and a warm welcome to our coverage of the opening game from Boland Park in Paarl. The hosts come into the series on the back of the SA20, while the West Indies arrive after a series defeat to Afghanistan. Both sides will be keen to fine-tune their squads and identify the right combinations ahead of the global showpiece.

…MATCHDAY...

Final tune-up for global glory! The stage is set for an electrifying three-match T20I series between South Africa and West Indies, kicking off at Boland Park, Paarl. This crucial series serves as the teams' final dress rehearsal ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which begins on February 7. Proteas face injury challenges - South Africa's preparations for the T20 World Cup have been dealt a blow with injuries to David Miller, Tony de Zorzi, and Donovan Ferreira. Miller's adductor muscle issue rules him out of the series, creating a fitness scenario around his inclusion in the ICC event, while De Zorzi and Ferreira's injuries have them out of the World Cup entirely. However, the Proteas have shown depth with Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs impressing in the domestic circuit, earning them World Cup call-ups. With key players like Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada, and Anrich Nortje available, South Africa aims to build momentum and gel as a unit before the big event. The form Dewald Brevis and Marco Jansen are carrying into this contest will be key for the Proteas to gain an upper hand on the Windies and assess what the team's best combination looks like. Windies look to gel under new leadership - The West Indies squad is using this series to get game-ready under new captain Shai Hope, who recently succeeded Rovman Powell in the shortest format. With key players returning, the team management will be looking to finalize their World Cup combination. The Windies' firepower makes them a formidable side, and they'll be keen to set up their balance and combinations to ensure they're competitive from the get-go. Anticipation builds for a high-stakes clash! The opening T20I promises to be a cracker, with both teams looking to make a statement ahead of the World Cup. Boland Park, usually a bowler-friendly venue, will require both teams to bat well to gain an edge. The team that adapts better to conditions and manages pressure will likely take an early series lead. Can the Proteas leverage their experience, or will the Windies' new leadership and firepower make them the side to beat? The battle begins on 27th January 2026.