South Africa vs West Indies, WI in SA, 3 T20Is, 2026 Jan 29 Full score card

FOUR! Rickelton finishes off in style. Short of a length, outside off, Rickelton pulls it behind square on the leg side for a boundary. South Africa win by 7 wickets with 15 balls to spare and seal the series too.

Scores are level! On a nagging length, around off, Rickelton punches it slightly square and wide of deep cover for a brace.

A slower pitched up delivery, outside off, Smith knocks it to deep cover for one.

We have to wait for another over. Was in the zone for Rickelton, fuller and outside off, Ryan steps across to slog it but misses.

Flights it full and around off, this is punched wide of cover for a single.

FOUR! South Africa are one hit away. Streaky way to unlock the account! Tossed up, around off, Smith prods to defend but gets a thick outside edge to third man and it races away.

The next batter is in. It is Jason Smith, in at number 5.

OUT! GONE! Dewald Brevis holes out. Pushed through, fuller and on leg, cramps for room as Brevis swings his bat straight, hits it down to long on and straight in the hands of Jason Holder.

Length delivery, drifting away from the batter. Rickelton crunches it through covers for a single.

An arm ball, flatter and angling around off, Dewald Brevis heaves it to long on for a single.

Overpitched, wide outside off from around the wicket. Rickelton throws his blade and cue ends it past cover for a brace. 19 runs off the over. Just 11 runs needed now.

SIX! ALL THE WAY! This is even bigger! In the hitting zone once again, shorter and on middle, easy pickings for Rickelton as he pulls it over square leg for a six.

SIX! HAMMERED! In the slot, full and outside off, offers room and Rickelton accepts with both hands, he powers it over long off for a six.

FOUR! West Indies' fielding have been abysmal today! Short of a length on middle and leg, Rickelton pulls it to deep square leg. An easy stop for Jayden Seales but he shows some tiredness as he bends forward and lets it through for four.

A good length delivery, outside off, Dewald Brevis steps across and helps it to long on for a single.

Romario Shepherd serves it on a length, wide outside off, Dewald Brevis frees his arms and slaps it to mid off.

Flatter arm-ball, sliding back into middle. Brevis stays back and punches it to the right of the bowler. Akeal Hosein scampers to stop it but gets tangled up with the non-striker. The ball rolls down to long on and a single is taken.

Shortish length around off, Rickelton hops back and cuts it to deep point for a run.

Bowled flatter and outside off, Brevis backs away and dabs it down behind point for a single.

End of a juggernaut partnership. Quinton de Kock walks back to a standing ovation. Sounds like more trouble for West Indies as Dewald Brevis walks to the middle with run-a-ball 33 needed.

OUT! CAUGHT! Finally, West Indies manage to get rid of Quinton de Kock but it hardly matters now. What a knock, what entertainment from the southpaw and rightly so, he gets a big round of applause from everyone inside the stadium. Akeal Hosein takes a bit of pace off here and floats it wide outside off. De Kock steps out and goes chasing after it but the bat turns in his hand. The ball gets sliced over the cover region, where Brandon King takes a few steps back and pouches it. QDK departs after a scintillating 115 off just 49 balls.

SIX! My word, the sound the ball made when it left the bat! Fired in full and outside off, Quinton de Kock walks inside the line of the delivery, sits down and slogs it over cow corner for a 97-meter behemoth.

SIX! Quinton de Kock puts on his dancing shoes and puts it away for another maximum. Dragged length outside off, QDK comes down the track, holds his shape and wallops it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Oh, wait! One of the floodlights at SuperSport Park has gone out. This will give the West Indies a chance to regroup, as only 45 runs are needed in 36 balls. The power is back. Will this break South Africa's momentum? Let's find out.

Game stopped due to : Light Failure

More of a proper bumper this time, quicker and outside off. Rickelton leans back to pull but is beaten by the extra bounce.

Short of a length and outside off, hit away to wide deep third for a single. The stand between Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton now moves to 150 runs.

Slower one, short and wide outside off. De Kock goes after it and misses and lets out a sigh in disappointment.

Back to around the wicket, bowled full and on off. Quinton de Kock jams it firmly into the turf and back at the bowler. The ball bounces up and Holder deflects it behind to long off. The batters pick up two runs.

SIX! Wow, what a way to notch up a HUNDRED from Quinton de Kock. Fullish length on the pads, de Kock picks it up and plays that classic flick up and over deep square leg for a maximum. A 2nd T20I ton here at SuperSport Park for QDK and a second one against West Indies as well. He's back, alright!

Holder comes over the wicket now and jams in a yorker on middle stump. Rickelton digs it to mid on for one.

WIDE. Full and angled down the leg side from around the wicket. Rickelton misses the flick and a wide is called but Jason Holder isn't happy as he feels that went inside the new guideline. The replays show that it was just wide, good call from the umpire.

Change in bowling. Jason Holder is back into the attack. Can he stem the run flow?

A third T20I FIFTY for Ryan Rickelton and this has been a breezy knock from the southpaw. Slightly fuller darted across off. Rickelton gets low and smacks it down to deep point once again for a single. South Africa needed 56 now off 42 balls. The required is now down to just 8 runs an over.

Good length around off, de Kock walks inside the line and nudges it in front of mid-wicket for one more.

Dragged length outside off, punched away to deep point for a single.

FOUR! This time, Shamar Joseph had no chance of making a stop. Even shorter and outside off, Rickelton hops back and smacks it a bit more in front of point and the ball races away to the fence.

FOUR! Oh, that is the last thing you want as a substitute fielder. Quick and a tad short on off, Rickelton rocks back and cuts it firmly down but straight to deep point. Shamar Joseph lets it through the hands and concedes a boundary.

On a good length, a bit slower and outside off. De Kock steps across to the off side and taps it through covers for a single.

FOUR! All those changes in the field placements and Seales ends up bowling a full toss. Overpitched outside off, Rickelton just leans on and strokes it past covers for a boundary. 25 off the over.

FOUR! Well controlled and well placed by Ryan Rickelton. Full and wide outside off, Rickelton reaches out and opens the bat face to guide it to the right of deep backard point for a boundary.

Juicy full toss outside off, de Kock leans on and just strokes it to the right of covers for a single. 17 off the over with 2 balls to go.

WIDE. Full and wide outside off, darting further away. Left alone for a wide.

SIX! No second invitation needed! Pace-off again, slightly into the turf and over middle. Quinton de Kock clears the front leg early and tonks it wide of long on for a biggie. QDK is into the 90s now.

Another slower ball, fuller and on the stumps, de Kock flicks it to the right of deep backward square leg for a couple of runs. Uh, oh! The siren goes off which means Jayden Seales has overstepped. NO BALL called and a Free Hit to follow...

Good change of pace from Seales. Hard length in the channel, but slower. De Kock looks to cut but misses.

SIX! Oh, stop it, Quinton de Kock! Good-length delivery on middle, QDK gets slightly inside the line and whips it only halfway through, still the ball flies over the backward square leg fence for a maximum.

Jayden Seales (1-0-13-0) is back on.

Flatter one angled across off, de Kock hangs back and dabs it down to deep third for a single.

FOUR! That's nicely done and the 100-run stand is also up between these two. Length ball angled across off, Quinton de Kock lunges across and sweeps it through backward square leg. The ball lands and spins further down beating the deep backward square leg fielder to his left.

Dragged length around off, QDK opts to hang back and just nudge it down into the off side.

Rickelton shuffles around in his crease and Akeal slides this one fuller at the stumps. Rickelton adjusts and eases it through covers for a single.

Good length on off, Quinton de Kock rocks back and goes for the pull but mistimes it badly. The ball goes towards deep square leg for a single.

On a length, darts it across off. QDK hangs back and cuts it down to short third.

DRINKS BREAK! Well, we all know what happened last time when these two teams played each other in Centurion and today seems to be no different. A big score on the board by West Indies but South Africa seem to be making lightwork of it. They need exactly 100 more runs in the last 10 overs to seal the series. The Windies need wickets and they need them in a heap. Let's see if the tide can turn in the final 10 overs. Also, Akeal Hosein comes into the attack now.

A single to end a 16-run over. Fuller delivery, around off, punched to long off for a single.

Floats it full and on leg, Rickelton leans and turns it to long on for one more.

Tossed up, full and around off, QDK drops it in front of cover for a single.

SIX! Quinton de Kock hits one now! Both are racing to see who will hit more boundaries in one over. Dragged length, tempting for a big shot and Quinton de Kock quickly goes on the back foot, pulling it over square leg for a six.

This is full and on leg, eased to long on for a single.

SIX! There is no stopping these two right now! Fractionally full, angling on middle. Rickelton shapesfor the slog-sweep and hits it flat over long on for a six.

FOUR! Runs are coming thick and fast! What a clever shot this is. Holder bowls a slower bumper, outside off, shaping away. Quinton de Kock shapes for the ramp but adjusts to the slower ball, guides it over backward point and past the man in deep.

Serves a low full toss, outside off, angled away. Rickelton works it to deep point for a run.

On a good length and on top of middle, stays low enough as Rickelton mistimes his pull shot, off the inner half, back to the bowler.

Short of a good length, outside off, Quinton de Kock cuts it to deep point for a single.

Fuller delivery, around off, Rickelton knocks it to extra cover for a single. 100 up for South Africa inside the 9th over.

FOUR! DROPPED! A tough chance goes down! Hard length delivery, around off, cramps Rickelton for the cut shot and it goes straight in the hands of Jayden Seales at short third man. Seales struggles to hold on and parries it away for a boundary. Jason Holder shows his disappointment straightaway.

A change of gloves for Quinton de Kock. Also, a change in the bowling as Jason Holder comes back into the attack.

SIX! Oh, the six spoils such a good over by Chase! Wonderful shot by QDK! Overpitched and angled across, outside off, Quinton de Kock lofts it nicely over extra cover and it goes the distance for a six.

Slower in the air, full and around off, drilled to long off for a single.

Tosses it up, fuller and around off, Rickelton punches it back to Chase.

A low full toss on the pads, whipped to deep square leg for a single.

Into the surface, fractionally short and on leg, Quinton de Kock opens up his body and gets in the line to pull but misses and gets hit high on the pads.

Flatter trajectory, around off and turning away, Rickelton punches it to point. A slight misfield allows the batters to rotate across.

On a good length, around off, punched to extra cover for a single. 16 runs off the over.

Darted on the pads, Rickelton flicks it to the left of deep mid-wicket. Sherfane Rutherford runs across and helps it to the adjacent player and saves a couple.

FOUR! MORE! South Africa are scoring better than the required run rate at the moment! Pitches it up, around off, straighter line, Rickelton presses forward and creams it past mid off for a boundary.

FOUR! Rickelton joins the party! A loosener from Romario Shepherd as he tries the slower one into the surface but sits nicely in front of the batter. On middle, Rickelton pulls it through square leg for four.

Fuller delivery, outside off, played past point for a single.

FOUR! FIFTY for Quinton de Kock! Easy pickings! A full toss from Romario Shepherd to begin with, angling on the pads, Quinton de Kock helps it past square leg and bags a boundary. 18th T20I fifty for QDK.

15 runs over by Holder! it very full and on leg, tucked to deep square leg for a single. The Powerplay is done. South Africa are 70/1.

SIX! Quinton de Kock is on a roll! This is in his arc! On a good length and on off, Quinton de Kock stands tall and pummels it over mid-wicket for a biggie.

Jason Holder uses his height to bang into the surface, bowls around off, Quinton de Kock looks to hoick it away but misses.

Short in length, around off, pulled to the left of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Plays with much more authority! Bangs it short and keeps it away from the batter, outside off, Quinton de Kock slices his cut deliberately to get it past deep point for a boundary.

Back of a length, outside off, Quinton de Kock hits it square of the wicket, aerially and to the right of deep point for a brace.

Good-length delivery on middle, angling in. Rickelton looks to flick and misses, wearing it on the body.

Just out of reach. Back of a length and around off, Rickeltonlooks to take it on and swings across the line. Miscues it completely but manages enough power on it to take the ball over the mid-wicket region. The fielder runs back and puts in a big dive but the ball falls out of reach. Two taken.

Hard length over middle, jammed down to mid on for a single.

That's a solid effort from Shimron Hetmyer in the end. Hard length outside off, Quinton de Kock glides it wide of short third and the fielder inside the ring jogs after the speeding ball. But Hetmyer runs to his right from deep backward point and puts in a big dive to save two runs for his side.

SIX! CRUNCHED! Length again, at the stumps, de Kock clears the front leg and swats it back over the bowler's head for a biggie. The 50 is now up for South Africa.

Ouch! Slower delivery, on a good length and angled well into the batter. Quinton de Kock backs away to pull but is undone by the lack of pace and bounce. Gets an inside edge straight onto the box and he lets out a painful grunt.

Good length on off, sliding on, de Kock nudges it down with soft hands to short third and picks up a single.

Flighted up, around off, Quinton de Kock leans on and just chips it wide of long off. The fielder mops up to his right and the batters get two runs.

Dragged length at the stumps, Rickelton backs away and jams it out to backward point for a quick single.

Pushed through flatter around off, de Kock dabs it past point for a single.

SIX! Up, up and away. Fuller again, around off, de Kock gets under the flight of the ball and swings freely through the line. The ball gets lofted straight back over the bowler's head and goes miles beyond the fence.

FOUR! Roston Chase is welcomed into the attack with a boundary. Flighted ball from around the wicket, full and outside off. Quinton de Kock comes forward and hits through the line, hammering it through covers for a boundary.

Back of a length again, angling across off. Quinton de Kock stays back and jams it on the bounce to short third. The fielder does well to get his body behind the ball and the batters get a single.

Back of a length on leg, Ryan Rickelton nudges it down through square leg and picks up a single.

The next batter is in. Ryan Rickelton is in at number 3.

OUT! TAKEN! Matthew Forde is absolutely pumped and he should be, as he sends the Protea captain packing. Forde serves it a tad short and angles it into the body. Aiden Markram gets his hands out in front, probably a bit too much and ends up snatching at the pull shot. The ball travels flat and to the left of deep backward square leg, where Shimron Hetmyer just about manages to pouch it. Markram departs for 15 (12).

Hard length, cutting in from well outside off. De Kock dabs it down through the point region for one more.

Good length around the top of off, punched away to mid off for a quick single. Good running.

FOUR! Gets enough on it, does Markram. Back of a length and at the batter. Markram backs away early and forces the lofted shot over mid on and the ball skips away to the fence.

Hard length around middle, heaved wide of mid on for a single.

Good comeback from Seales. He holds the length but just straightens the line a bit. Markram moves leg side to swing across the line but misses.

SIX! Wow, that is some shot from Markram. How did he even do that? Back of a length and over off, Markram walks into the line of the ball, lifts the back leg a bit and manages to play a front-foot punch over long on for a six. 'Remarkable' - that's one way to describe that shot.

Good length outside off, sweetly punched in front of point for a single.

FOUR! Up and over. Quinton de Kock gets to 12000 T20 runs, and according to Natalie Germanos on-air, he is the second South African to do so. Banged in short over off, de Kock swings across the line but gets a top edge that flies down to deep third for a boundary.

Good-length delivery targeting the stumps, Markram lifts the back leg and whips it off the inner half of the blade. The ball goes uppishly through the vacant square leg region and the batters stroll across for a single.

Who'll bowl from the other end? It is Jayden Seales.

A full-pitched delivery on leg, Markram flicks it to deep square leg for a single. South Africa are 8/0 after the first over of the chase.

Can't get it away, and Forde comes back with three dot balls. Short of a length and outside off, Markramsmacks it away but straight to cover-point.

Hard length angling into off, Markram presents a straight bat down and taps it back towards the bowler.

Just back of a length and outside off. Markram stands tall and plays a high-elbow punch down to covers.

Tap and run, Quinton de Kock is off the mark as well. Forde comes around the wicket to the left-hander and pitches it fuller outside off. De Kock taps it to backward point and gets across to the other end.

Much better from Forde. Hard length, bowled on middle, Aiden Markram tucks it towards mid-wicket and picks up a single to get off the mark.

FIVE WIDES! That is a howler to start from Matthew Forde. Fuller in length, lands it miles down the leg side and it swings further away from the keeper, rolling into the fine leg fence. South Africa are up and running.

Oh, Rutherford will feel he has missed out big time there. A wide full toss from Nortje and Rutherford looks to drag it through the leg side. Ends up miscuing it towards mid on for just a single. 15 off the final over and West Indies finish with 221/4 on the board.

Short again, quicker and at the batter. Shepherd mistimes the pull in front of mid-wicket and picks up a single.

FOUR! Wrong line from Nortje with the fine leg up inside the ring. Back-of-the-hand slower ball, dug in short and over middle and leg. Romario Shepherd gets inside the line and helps the pull over short fine leg for a boundary.

Back of a length on off and middle, Rutherford swings across the line but mistimes it down to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Full and outside off, squeezed out firmly through backward point. Kagiso Rabada does well to sprint to his right from deep point and slides in to cut it off. Two taken.

SIX! BANG! Full and quick around off, Sherfane Rutherford hangs back and just swings through the line, nailing it over long off for a biggie. FIFTY up for Rutherford and what a month or so he's had in South Africa.

South Africa have been penalised for a slow over-rate. Anrich Nortje has been handed over the ball. They have Kwena Maphaka as an option, but Markram goes for experience.

Short of a length and outside off, Shepherd hangs back and scythes it away wide of deep cover for a couple of runs.

Full again, at the pads, flicked behind square leg for a single.

WIDE. Full again, just down the leg side. Called a wide and Rabada isn't happy.

KG gets the yorker spot-on. Full and straight on middle, this time Rutherford is forced to just dig it out.

FOUR! Rutherford is such a special player. Good length angled across off, SR leans back and pummels it wide of mid off, aerially too and picks up another boundary. The 200 is up for West Indies as well.

FOUR! Rutherford is toying with the bowlers' lengths now and up comes the 50-run stand between these two. Full and wide outside off, in the blockhole. Rutherford stays back and squeezes it away through the short third region for a boundary.

Short of a length and over middle, Romario Shepherd swings at it but gets hurried and mistimes it over backward square leg for a single.

West Indies are back on track with that last over. They'll look for a score around 225 with 12 balls remaining. Kagiso Rabada to bowl the penultimate over.

FOUR! That's gone like a tracer bullet and West Indies are back in business, 22 off the over. Full-pitched delivery outside off, Rutherford gets down on one knee and nails the cover drive stylishly through extra cover and picks up four more runs. 40 runs off the last 2 overs.

FOUR! Fuller this time and wide outside off, Rutherford is able to throw his hands at it and he gets it over the point region for a boundary.

SIX! Short again, and pulled for six again. Slower one over middle, Rutherford simply hangs back and lays into the pull, clobbering it over mid-wicket for a maximum.

Nails his yorker on middle and leg, Romario Shepherd digs it out square on the leg side for one more.

Goes very full and gets it to swing back in late on leg, Sherfane Rutherford hits it down to mid on for a single.

SIX! Rutherford has nailed that! A skiddy bumper over leg stump, Rutherford sets up for it early and hammers it hard over deep square leg for a biggie.

The attempted yorker, ends up being a very low full toss. Rutherford punches it to long off for one. 18 off the over.

WIDE. Slower bumper over leg, angles down and sails over the head of the batter.

SIX! Oh, Rutherford has done so well to reach that. Short and well outside off, Rutherford hops up and extends his arms, ends up slashing it over deep third for a maximum.

Another slower one and it's a good result for Maphaka. Bowled into the pitch and outside off, extracts extra bounce off the deck. Rutherford looks to fetch and pull but misses.

Slower and shorter and right at the bodyline, Shepherd goes after it and mistimes the pull over square leg for a single.

SIX! The No Ball has cost South Africa dearly. Slower one, ends up being a dipping full toss on leg. Romario Shepherd waits well and gets under it, whacking it over deep mid-wicket for a huge six.

NO BALL! Oh, deary me. The ball slips out of Kwena Maphaka's hand and he ends up bowling a beamer right at Rutherford, who does well to get some bat on it and angle it wide of short fine leg for a single. Free Hit incoming...

Good length around leg, Romario Shepherd looks to flick it away but misses. Gets it off the pads and down to fine leg for a leg bye.

Kwena Maphaka replaces Keshav Maharaj, who has bowled out.

Markram slips in a decent over as well now. Flatter delivery, darted across off. Rutherford stays back to cut but misses.

Oh, that is a valiant effort from Marco Jansen and hopefully, he hasn't injured himself here. Dragged length around middle, Sherfane Rutherford throws the kitchen sink at the heave but miscues it badly. The ball goes high up and lands around the mid on region. Jansen runs in from the deep and puts a slide, sticking out the right hand but the ball falls out of reach. Two taken.

FOUR! Streaky but effective, and the 150 is up for West Indies. Tossed up wide outside off, Rutherford steps out and looks to go over covers but slices it over the point region for a boudary.

A bit more flight, angled into leg stump. Rutherford stays leg side of the ball and drives it to covers.

Flatter one, darted into the leg stump. Shepherd manages to tap it through mid on for one more.

Full and flat, fired in at the toes. Rutherford looks to clear the front leg and slog it away but ends up jamming it through mid-wicket for a single.

Make it four overs without a boundary! Superb stuff from the home team! Tossed up, on middle, Romario Shepherd leans and defends.

Another one bites the dust and out walks Romario Shepherd, in at number 6 for WI.

OUT! TAKEN! One brings two and it's the set batter who has to depart. What an over from Maharaj. What a passage of play from South Africa. Keeps it across, very full and outside off, just how Maharaj has been bowling to Hetmyer so far but with no boundaries in the past few overs. Hetmyer tries to loft it square off the wicket. Hits it flat and to deep point where Dewald Brevis pouches it. Shimron Hetmyer goes for 75 (42).

Into the surface, touch fuller and around off, Rutherford knocks it to long off for a single.

An arm ball, quicker, fuller and outside off, punched past cover for a single

Fires it full and in line of the stumps. Sherfane Rutherford gets off the mark as he eases it to long on.

West Indies lose another wicket, bringing another new batter to the crease. Sherfane Rutherford is the new batter in.

OUT! CHOPPED ON! It's the pressure that does things! Looking for a boundary, Rovman Powell takes a premeditated charge, Maharaj tosses it up, around off and it stays a touch low. Powell swings hard across the line, manages a bottom edge and it ricochets back onto the stumps. South Africa are on top right now.

Leg bye! Three overs without a boundary and South Africa are pulling things back brilliantly. Length ball on the pads. Powell fails to flick it away and wears it on the pads. It rolls away for a leg bye.

Turning out to be yet another excellent over by the Proteas. Touch fuller and slanting on middle, Hetmyer hits through the line to long on for a single.

Attacks the stumps with a length ball. Powell tries to fend it away from inside his crease and edges it to short third. A run.

Another dot! Bangs it short, around leg, takes Powell by surprise as he pulls across and misses.

Hard length, outside off, Powell gets pegged back as he punches it to point.

JUST SHORT! A scrambled seam shorter delivery, around off, Hetmyer tries to heave with the angle but gets a leading edge to third man. Falls short of the on-rushing Anrich Nortje at deep third. Just a run.

Marco Jansen (2-0-14-1) is back into the attack.

Back-to-back overs without a boundary! A small win for South Africa! This is full and around off, Hetmyer drills it past a diving Maharaj and to long on for one.

Powell is underway! Tails it full and on middle and leg, clipped to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Flatter trajectory and it stays low, outside off, Powell bends to cut but finds point.

Floats it on the up, fuller and around off, Rovman Powell leans and dead bats it.

Shorter and outside off, punched past cover for a single.

Keshav Maharaj angles it well across, full and outside off, Hetmyer reaches after it and lofts it wide of long off. Marco Jansen was standing wide in the deep. Two runs.

South Africa finally manage to break the 2nd wicket stand and that brings out the new batter. Rovman Powell is in at number 4.

OUT! TAKEN! Frustrating but Kagiso Rabada does the job. He breaks the 126 (62) run partnership. Pushed through, fuller and on leg, probably the slower delivery as Brandon King lofts it but fails to get the power behind it. It goes high towards long on, where Tristan Stubbs holds onto it. Brandon King misses out on his half-century by just a run. He deserved it but he will feel, he has played his part well.

Into the surface and onto the body, on leg, King steps back to pull but misses and wears it on the waist area.

Wide! Oh, this is frustrating for someone of Rabada's calibre! Too short and on middle, over King and it is called a wide.

Keeps it outside off, slower delivery. Hetmyer throws his blade and hits it to cover for one.

Overpitched and drifting on leg, King presses with a straight bat to long on for a single.

Very full and on middle and leg, flicked to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Wide! All of a sudden, South Africa are struggling to hit the area! Pushed through, full and past the strip line. Hetmyer leaves.

Wide! Kagiso Rabada spills it full and almost out of the pitch surface. It is left alone. Quinton de Kock dives across and makes a good stop.

Not where he intended at all! Bowls into the surface, shorter and on leg, Brandon King comes down the track to pull but miscues it to mid off for a single.

Short of a length, around off, Hetmyer keeps his pull shot along the ground. The fielder at deep square leg dives to his right but in vain. However, Marco Jansen from long on sweeps it up nicely. Two runs.

Wide! A slower length delivery, on leg, Hetmyer lets it go for a wide.

That was a wayward delivery! Shorter and well down leg, Brandon King swivel-pulls and miscues it to deep square leg for a single. A bit fine would have got him a boundary.

Into the surface, short, outside off. Hetmyer slaps it hard to deep cover for a single.

Bowls it full and on the pads, clipped behind square leg for a single.

Well bowled! Bangs it short and on leg, King looks to pull it away but misses. Good take by QDK, behind the sticks.

Wide! Straight, down leg, King looks to pull but misses.

FOUR! The action continues! Poor start by Kwena Maphaka as he bowls a juicy full toss on off, Brandon King punches it down the ground to long off for a boundary.

DRINKS BREAK! A much needed break for the home team as the visitors have gone berserk at the SuperSport Park. Anrich Nortje has conceded 44 runs in his two overs and is having a really bad day so far. Not that others are enjoying their time in the middle but South Africa need a better second half if they want to keep West Indies under 200. The visitors are all set for a big score and should achieve on this batting paradise.

FOUR! Oh, that is sublime timing. Hard length around middle, Hetmyer presses back and just nudges it away. The ball flies to the left of mid-wicket and runs away to the fence. Anrich Nortje has gone for 44 runs in his 2 overs and West Indies are 115/1 after the first 10 overs.

SIX! That's a poor delivery. Dragged length, down the leg side. Shimron Hetmyer goes after it and pulls it up and over fine leg for another biggie.

SIX! Shimron Hetmyer brings up the FIFTY in style. Back of a length and over middle and leg, Hetmyer picks the length early and swings it away over the square leg fence for a biggie. It is caught on the grass banks and the 100 is also up for West Indies. What a blistering knock from Hetmyer so far.

Another one off the pads. Skiddy length, angled into the batter. King misses the flick and the ball goes off the pads towards short mid-wicket. Another leg bye.

Hard length around leg, offering no room. Hetmyer looks to swing it away but the ball thuds the pads and rolls behind square leg. The batters get a leg bye.

FOUR! Such a narrow gap over there and Shimron Hetmyer picks it to perfection. Banged in short over middle and leg, Hetmyer hangs back and pulls it between deep backward square leg and fine leg for a boundary.

Yes, he can! The arm-ball now, around middle and leg. King looks to sweep but gets tangled up and wears it on the pads.

Fuller and wider outside off, Hetmyer drags the big shot down to long on for just a single. Just like his first over, Maharaj has conceded five singles on his first five deliveries. Can he finish well this time?

Pushed through quicker around off, King gets pegged back and jams it through extra cover for a run.

Good length, angled well across off. Hetmyer throws his hands at it and cuts it to deep point for just one more.

Flighted delivery at the stumps, King leans on and chips it wide of the bowler. The ball goes through mid on and the batters pick up a single.

Flat and outside off, Hetmyer camps back and slaps it to deep point for a run.

Good length outside off, punched away to deep cover for a single.

Markram sees Hetmyer advancing and shortens the length, darting it across off. Hetmyer reaches out and hits it straight to cover-point, cursing himself for not putting it away.

Quicker again, a tad full and outside off. Hetmyer cuts it down to short third.

Markram switches to over the wicket now and flattens the trajectory. This is angled across off, Hetmyer taps it to covers.

SIX! That's just begging to be hit. A nothing ball from Markram as this is tossed up right in the hitting arc on middle. Hetmyer sits down and slogs it handsomely over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

FOUR! In the arc and smashed away. Tossed up, full on off. Hetmyer reaches forward and hammers it dead straight over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Spin from both ends. The skipper, Aiden Markram to bowl now.

FOUR! That's nicely played. Fractionally short and wide, King stays back and cuts it firmly through backward point for a boundary, completely spoiling the over for Maharaj.

Hetmyer is itching to go after the left-arm spinner but can't quite get it away. Floated up wide outside off. Shimron Hetmyer steps out and clofts it own to long on for a single.

Fuller one angled into middle and leg. King turns it through mid on and rotates strike.

Full and quick, darted outside off. Hetmyer drags the slog-sweep down to long on and picks up another single.

Tossed up, on a fuller length around off. King strokes it to wide long off for one more.

Fired in, flat and full outside off. Hetmyer goes down on one knee and hammers it to long off for a single.

Will Markram trust Anrich Nortje with another over? Not for now, Keshav Maharaj is into the attack.

A dot to end the Powerplay but West Indies are already 68 for the loss of just one wicket. Hard length cutting across off, King smacks it down to the fielder in front of point.

FOUR LEG BYES! Too straight from Maphaka. Slower one, a tad bit short and on leg. King looks to swivel-pull again but the ball goes off the flap of the thigh pad and loops over the keeper, rolling away into the fine leg fence.

Back of a length again, around off. King jams it down to covers.

SIX! This is a quality shot from King. Back of a length and over middle, Brandon King swivels around in his crease and just helps the pull over deep backward square leg for a maximum.

Hard length, in the channel. Hetmyer stabs it down through backward point and turns the strike over.

FOUR! Not the right line but Jason Smith should have cut that off. A knee-height full toss on leg, Hetmyer clips it away firmly behind square leg. Smith runs across to his left but dives in early and the ball goes through for a boundary.

Brandon King has gone berserk. Just one more over left in the Powerplay now. Kwena Maphaka comes in to bowl it.

SIX! 24 runs off the over. 50 up for West Indies in style! King is oozing class on alternate deliveries. Overpitched, around off, King backs away and plays with a high backlift over long off and it goes the distance.

FOUR! MORE! 18 already off the over! Short of a good length, angling around off and was the leg-cutter, King makes room, slashes hard and gets a top edge over short third for four runs.

Hard length delivery, around off, nipping in, this is flicked to mid-wicket.

SIX! Well, he has definitely timed it now! What a shot! A good length delivery, on middle, nothing bad with the ball. King makes a lot of room on the off side, bends low and flat-bats it over extra cover and it goes all the way.

FOUR! Make it two for King! Not sure if he timed it well here but he gets the reward! This is full and around off, King shows the full face of the bat and hits it over mid off, his bat turns in his hand but gets the elevation for a boundary.

FOUR! King hits his first boundary! Pitched up from Anrich Nortje up front, outside off, King checks his punch shot and hits it to extra cover for a boundary.

Time for a bowling change? Yes, indeed! Anrich Nortje is into the attack now, replacing Kagiso Rabada.

A premeditated swing across the line from Hetmyer as Jansen bowls a knuckle ball, full and outside off, Hetmyer misses.

FOUR! Fourth boundary for the left-hander! Precision rather than power! Short in length, outside off, Hetmyer nicely punches it square off the wicket and hits it past cover for a boundary.

Pushed through, fuller and around off, skids a bit as Hetmyer is taken a bit by surprise, he presses forward and pushes it to mid on.

Hetmyer going after everything at the moment! Shorter and angling on middle, Hetmyer pulls off the inner half of the bat, wide of deep square leg for a brace.

Hits the deck hard and bowls it straight on leg, King clips it to the right of short mid-wicket for a quick single. Ryan Rickelton has a shy at the keeper's end but misses.

This is full and around off at 137 clicks. Brandon King punches it to cover.

Pushes his length forward, bowling it on middle, Hetmyer drops it to cover.

TOP NUT! Bowls the Test line, around the fifth stump with an away-angler on the shorter side. Hetmyer looks to defend but the ball beats the inside edge.

In the air...lands safely! Short of a good length, outside off, Hetmyer clears his front leg and swings across the line. Manages a thick top edge and it flies over mid on. Aiden Markram chases, slides in the deep and saves two.

BEATEN! Better from Rabada as he controls his length, bowls it around off. It lands and seams away a touch. Hetmyer looks to push it across but misses.

FOUR! Oh, talk about timing here! Third boundary for Hetmyer already! Rabada goes a bit full and gets it to nip back in on middle, Hetmyer wrists it away past mid-wicket for a boundary.

FOUR! HIT AWAY! Rabada steams in and serves it short, wide outside off, Hetmyer cuts it to the left of Dewald Brevis at point and bags a boundary.

Slants it on the pads, flicked to deep square leg for a single.

FOUR! HELPED AWAY! A bumper on middle and leg, Shimron Hetmyer helps with the angle over fine leg for a boundary. Off the mark is Hetmyer.

West Indies lose an early wicket and out walks the new batter. Shimron Hetmyer is in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Another dot or not, as Quinton de Kock is celebrating. South Africa appeal for a caught behind but it is turned down. QDK asks his skipper to take it upstairs. UltraEdge shows a SPIKE! Hope has to go. Excellent review from the home team and West Indies lose the first wicket. Onto the delivery - Jansen hits the deck hard and angles across a length ball, outside off, Shai Hope flashes his blade and bottom edges it to the keeper. Quinton de Kock takes the catch and gets a bit of credit for this wicket.

On a good length and top of off, slight inward movement. Hope plays near his body and taps it to point.

Wide! Gets it to move away but errs in line as Jansen pushes it across the batter, too wide. Hope slashes his blade and misses.

Pitches it up as Jansen looks for some swing, this is around off, King leans into the line of the delivery and hits it to left of mid off for a quick single.

Jansen serves it on a nagging length on middle and leg, not much movement seen. King keeps it out on the leg side.

Marco Jansen to share the new ball alongside Kagiso Rabada.

Four dots to end the over! Back of a length, outside off, this one dies off the surface. Shai Hope is stuck in his crease as he pushes it away.

BEATEN! Rabada keeps it short, just outside off with little bit of extra bounce. Hope hops to push it away from his body but misses.

Into the surface, too short and too wide. Shai Hope creates room on the off side as he backs away, swings hard but fails to connect.

Solid shot once again, but no run! Short of a good length, outside off, Hope makes room and slaps it hard but straight to cover.

FOUR! Shai Hope is off the mark! That's some intent! KG bangs it short and outside off, Hope gets on top of the bounce and pulls it over mid on. Well over the fielder for a boundary.

Kagiso Rabada bowls the hard length, tailing in on middle, Brandon King clips it to deep square leg and gets the innings underway with a single.

Done and dusted with the pre-game formalities and it is now time to play. The umpires are out in the middle and the South African players can be seen in a huddle. Aiden Markram provides a few last words of wisdom before the players take their places on the field. It will be the duo of Brandon King and Shai Hope to open the innings for West Indies. Kagiso Rabada has the new ball and in hand and he will be looking to use this strong breeze to get some early movement. Let's play...

Time for the Pre-game formalities - We are just a few minutes away from the start of the game. The two sets of players lineup along with their mascots for the anthems. It will be the cricketing anthem of the West Indies first, followed by the national anthem of South Africa.

A quick chat with Ryan Rickelton - Rickelton says he had to cut short his holiday after he found out about his selection for the World Cup. Adds that batting at number 3 is a bit situational and he needs to assess and adapt his game and try to put the opposition under pressure. On South Africa's chances at the upcoming T20 World Cup, he backs the players' form after coming from a successful SA20. Admits they are confident in what they want to achieve as a group.

Let's now hear from Rovman Powell - Rovman says that his last innings was an okay innings and hopefully he can do better today. Adds that they need to play each facet of the game properly and if they continue to lose 3-4 wickets in the Powerplay, you cannot express yourself with the bat properly. Mentions that he has good memories of Centurion as he made his captaincy debut here and remembers that high-scoring affair last time around as well. Ends by saying that he has taken on a senior role in the team and tries to work with the young players and guide them.

PITCH REPORT - Pommie Mbangwa talks about the conditions first and expresses that the wind has picked up. On the dark clouds, he feels it won't break down. also adds that the team batting first usually wins here. On the pitch, the batters could clear the squares easily as the boundaries are short. Reckons that the pitch seems hard, but there are cracks and a bit of moisture in there. Informs that the top order needs to assess the conditions quickly, as he feels it won't be a high-scoring match.

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

South Africa (Playing XI) - Aiden Markram (C), Quinton de Kock (WK) (In for Lhuan-dre Pretorius), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs (In for Rubin Hermann), Marco Jansen (In for Corbin Bosch), Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje (In for George Linde), and Kwena Maphaka.

Shai Hope, the Captain of West Indies - Hope says that just one change as he comes in for Johnson Charles. Adds that the thing that is most essential for them is to execute with the bat and with the ball and that will be their focus today. Mentions that they need to assess quickly what a good score is and give their bowlers a solid total to defend. Further says that you want to put the opposition bowlers under pressure early in T20 matches.

Aiden Markram, the Captain of South Africa - Markram says they will bowl first as it looks like a good surface, and it's a nice ground to chase it down. Expresses there is a similar blueprint to the last game and hopes to perform in the same way. Shares that in the last match, it got easy to bat on under the lights and hopes the pitch performs the same way here. Mentions that the players' form has been good since the SA20. Informs that they have made four changes with the likes of Quinton de Kock, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen and Anrich Nortje all coming back in.

TOSS - The two captains are out in the middle. Aiden Markram flips the coin, whereas Shai Hope calls. It lands in favour of Markram. South Africa will FIELD first.

An exciting contest awaits - Last time these two teams faced each other in Centurion, it was a run fest of the highest order. South Africa managed to chase down a target of 259 with 7 balls to spare. West Indies are unbeaten in the last three bilateral T20I series against the Proteas and will be eager to get their teeth back in the game. There is some rain predicted as well and the moisture might aid the pacers early on, so the toss will be crucial. Stay tuned as the toss and team sheets aren't far away now.

A shot at redemption - West Indies, meanwhile, will need a more cohesive performance from their batting unit to challenge the South African surge. While the middle order showed flashes of brilliance through Rovman Powell and Shimron Hetmyer in Paarl, the top-order fragility remains a major concern. To level the series, the visitors must find a way to navigate South Africa's spin threat while capitalizing on the fast-scoring conditions at SuperSport Park. With the series on the line, the Windies must rediscover their trademark flair and clinical execution to force a final-match showdown.

Series win in sight - The Proteas enter this match with significant momentum, primarily driven by captain Aiden Markram’s career-best unbeaten 86 in the first game. South Africa’s top order looked clinical, and their bowling attack, anchored by George Linde's three-wicket, effectively stifled the explosive Caribbean hitters. After resting several SA20 stars like Quinton de Kock, Tristan Stubbs, and Marco Jansen for the first match, the home side is expected to be at full strength for the Centurion clash, further tilting the odds in their favor at a venue known for its true bounce and high-scoring rates.

Welcome to the coverage - The second T20I between South Africa and the West Indies at SuperSport Park in Centurion carries immense weight for both sides. Following a dominant nine-wicket victory by the Proteas in the series opener at Paarl, the hosts are just one win away from sealing the three-match series. For the West Indies, who are being led by stand-in captain Roston Chase in the absence of Shai Hope, this match is a must-win to avoid a series loss and keep their hopes alive for a decider in Johannesburg. Both teams are viewing this tour as a vital dress rehearsal for the upcoming T20 World Cup, making every tactical decision and individual performance a high-stakes affair.

... MATCH DAY ...

Road to the 2026 World Cup - The ongoing 3-match T20I series between South Africa and the West Indies serves as the final, high-stakes preparation for both teams before the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 begins. In the opening fixture at Paarl, South Africa made a statement by clinching a dominant 9-wicket victory. The Proteas chased down a target of 174 with 13 balls to spare, thanks to a vintage performance from their captain, Aiden Markram, giving them a 1-0 lead and setting a competitive tone for the remainder of this short but vital series. Proteas momentum and strategy - South Africa’s primary success in the first game was the clinical return to form of skipper Aiden Markram, who struck his highest T20I score of 86 not out. The bowling unit also excelled, with George Linde taking 3 for 25 to dismantle the Windies' top order. For the second T20I at Centurion, the Proteas will look to replicate this early pressure while tightening their death bowling, as they allowed the West Indies to recover from 95/5. Maintaining this ruthless batting approach will be key to sealing the series early. Windies power vs consistency - The West Indies showcased their characteristic of boom-or-bust flair in the series opener. Their strength remains their lower-middle order firepower, evidenced by Shimron Hetmyer's 48 and Rovman Powell's 29 rescuing the innings with a 74-run stand. However, their main weakness was a lack of early stability and disciplined bowling, as they managed only one wicket in the entire African innings. To level the series, the Windies must find a way to strike early with the new ball and avoid the middle-order collapses that have plagued them in recent assignments. Centurion Showdown - Bench Strength and Tactics - The second T20I at SuperSport Park on January 29 is expected to be a high-scoring affair given the venue's reputation as a batting paradise. With the World Cup right on the horizon, both managements may look to test their bench strength. South Africa might give opportunities to players like Tristan Stubbs or Quinton de Kock, while the West Indies could hand more responsibility to young big-hitter Quentin Sampson. It will be keen to see if Shai Hope has recovered from the niggle that kept him out of the first game or not. Strategic flexibility and finalising the death-over bowling combinations will be the top priorities for both Aiden Markram and Shai Hope. Recent form (Last 5 completed games, latest result first) - South Africa - W, L, L, W, L. West Indies - L, W, L, L, L.