West Indies vs South Africa, SA in WI, 3 T20I Series, 2024 Full score card

FOUR! THAT'S IT! Roston Chase with the winning runs! Kwena Maphaka errs in line as this is too straight, on a back of a length, at the hips, Roston Chase gets inside the line and just tickles it fine. The ball beats the diving keeper, Ryan Rickelton to his left and it races away to the fence. West Indies win by 7 wickets and go 1-0 up in the series!

Roston Chase is the new man in for West Indies at number 5.

OUT! TAKEN! Kwena Maphaka roars in delight as he gets his maiden international wicket! Took a bit of tapping in the first over but has since fought back well. Maphaka delivers a full delivery with an upright seam, on off. Rovman Powell tries to force this one through the off side. Fails to get the elevation to clear the man there and hits it straight into the hands of Patrick Kruger at cover who takes a sharp catch.

Honing in at the stumps, Rovman Powell shows the full face of the bat and pushes this full delivery back to the bowler.

Delivers it on a back of a length, around off, Rovman Powell hops and rides the bounce nicely to dab it towards backward point.

Maphaka steams in from around the wicket and nails the yorker, at the stumps, Rovman Powell gets his bat down in time and jams it out.

Baartman bowls a bumper now, over off and middle, Rovman Powell gets on top of the bounce and pulls it to deep backward square leg for just a single. Just 3 needed now.

Attacking the stumps, fuller in length, Nicholas Pooran shapes up to get underneath the delivery but fails to do so. Knocks it back past the bowler and crosses over.

Baartman goes into the deck, over middle, Rovman Powell stands tall and pulls it to deep square leg and gets to the other end.

Angling across the batter, on a length, Nicholas Pooran cuts it fiercely along the carpet to backward point where the fielder fails to make a clean stop. The ball parries off his hands to his right, allowing the batters to cross over. West Indies just a hit away now.

Hurls it on a hard length, on off, Rovman Powell arches back and cuts it late to the left of backward point. Nandre Burger at deep third slides to his right and keeps it down to one.

On a good length but still a bit too straight, on the pads, Nicholas Pooran nudges it in front of square on the leg side for a single.

WIDE! And again! Further down leg and the length stays full, Nicholas Pooran swings to help it away but misses.

WIDE! Baartman sprays it down leg, full in length, Nicholas Pooran misses the tickle. Wide given.

Kruger with a deep backward point bowls to his field now, on a fullish length, near the wide tramline on off. Nicholas Pooran takes it on the full and slices it along the ground to the man in the deep there for one. Just 11 needed now for West Indies.

SIX! Picked the bones out of that! A hit-me delivery by Kruger as this is an off-pace delivery, on a short of a good length, outside off. Nicholas Pooran frees his arms and pummels it over long on for his 7th six of the inning.

FOUR! Skillfully done! Kruger gets the yorker in at pace, on off, Nicholas Pooran stays deep in his crease and just opens the bat face to glide it past backward point for a boundary.

SIX! BANG! That has gone many a mile! Nicholas Pooran brings up his FIFTY! Kruger digs it in short but this is not short enough to trouble the batter and there is no pace on it. Nicholas Pooran picks up the length early and deposits the pull way over deep square leg for a biggie.

Into the wicket and no pace on offer, over middle, Rovman Powell rolls his wrists on the ball and pulls it in front of square on the leg side for a single.

Kruger takes pace off and goes full, around off, Rovman Powell leans for the drive but chops it off the toe end of the bat in front of cover.

Slower in pace, a length ball pitching and angling down leg. Pooran hops inside the line but misses the flick. He wants a wide but the umpire calls it a fair delivery as Pooran shuffled across.

FOUR! Surprisingly, this is the first four for Nicky P! Short in length, and pitching back into the batter from off, Nicholas Pooran swings across the line of the ball and helps it away down to deep fine for a boundary.

At 128 kph, short and angling back in, Rovman Powell miscues his pull shot to deep square leg for a single.

Around the wicket. Short of a good length, on off, Powell goes for a late cut but gets a thick outside edge to the keeper.

Angling into the middle and leg, Nicholas Pooran crouches at it and flicks it to short fine. The ball lands ahead of Baartman stationed at short fine leg. He dives to his right and the ball deflects off his fingers to the deep. Ottneil Baartman redeems himself as he turns around and backtracks the ball to keep it to just a single.

Kwena Maphaka digs into the surface, short and angling on middle and leg, Powell mistimes the pull, but manages to clear the inner ring for a single at deep mid-wicket.

Tap and run! Length ball on off, Rovman Powell taps it off the back foot to the off side and crosses over for a single to retain his strike. West Indies need run-a-ball 36 runs.

A bit of 'Yes' and 'No' in the middle but Nicky P eventually sends his partner back. Length-delivery on off, Rovman Powell punches it off the back foot to point and wants a single but gets an eventual sendback by Pooran. Powell obeys and retreats back in time.

Baartman angles it on the pads on a length, Rovman Powell misses to glance it and wears it on the thigh pad.

The skipper, Rovman Powell makes his way out to the centre.

OUT! LBW! An appeal for LBW and the umpire raises his finger! Shai Hope though goes upstairs and challenges the on-field decision. Ottneil Baartman nails it on a fuller length and attacks the sticks as the ball skids quickly off the surface and nips back in a fraction. Shai Hope is cramped up for room and hurries into his shot looking to flick it away but loses his shape and gets rapped on the front pad. There's nothing on the UltraEdge and the Ball Tracking shows that the ball is clipping the leg stump on the umpire's call. West Indies won't lose a review but they have lost Shai Hope who just registered his fifty.

WIDE! A slower overhead bumper and down leg. Hope is not interested to poke at it and lets it pass. Wide called.

Holds onto bowling full in length, outside off, Nicholas Pooran mistimes the slash off the inner half of the bat. It rolls to the point fielder and they quickly cross over for a single.

Too full right in front of the pegs, Shai Hope drills it to long on for an easy single.

4th T20I FIFTY FOR SHAI HOPE! A controlled inning from him. Short in length from Kruger and over the top of off, Shai Hope pulls it along the grass to deep mid-wicket for a single to end the 13th over. West Indies need 40 runs off 42 balls now.

Good length around off, Shai Hope drives it solidly on the up but finds the fielder at cover.

50-run stand comes up between the two in just 30 deliveries. Short and on the bodyline, Nicholas Pooran swivels and executes a wristy pull towards deep square leg for a single.

Overpitched outside off, Shai Hope drives it straight to long off for a comfortable single.

At 124.3 kph, full and outside off, Nicholas Pooran crouches a bit and drills it down to long off for a single.

Over the wicket, full and on off, Shai Hope leans on for the drive but gets it off the inside half of the bat to short fine for a single.

SIX! MAKE THAT FOUR IN A ROW! Nandre Burger stays over the stumps and sustains to bowl full and outside off, Nicholas Pooran predicts the length early and clears his front foot before lofting it over the cow corner fence for a biggie. West Indies just need 45 from 48 balls now.

SIX! The quicker you come, the quicker you go, says Nicky P! This is majestic T20 batting from the southpaw. Right into the slot on off, Nicholas Pooran clears his front leg and spanks it down the ground for the third six in a row. The dewy conditions are making it really difficult for the bowlers to find their right lengths.

SIX! Absolutely merciless! Burger offers a friendly full toss on leg, Nicholas Pooran creates a strong base for himself, weighing on the back foot and gets his bat underneath it properly. Pulls it well and behind deep mid-wicket for another six. Burger is under the pump here.

SIX! These are easy pickings for Nicky P! Slower one, outside off and right in the zone, Nicholas Pooran detects the pace off and waits for it to come at him before lofting it over the bowler's head for a huge six.

Length ball on off, Shai Hope steers it to deep third for one.

Seam up ball, short and outside off, Shai Hope gets beaten by the lack of pace and goes early into his pull shot and fails to connect.

Nandre Burger (2-0-22-0) returns to the attack with a change of ends.

A bit of hesitation there! Slower, shorter and outside off, Nicholas Pooran is early in his shot and gets it off the toe end of the bat towards the point fielder and runs for a quick single. A shy at the bowler's end allows them to hurry back for the second.

Good length, on off, Nicholas Pooran blocks it to the covers.

A slower-paced delivery at 112 kph, short and on middle, Shai Hope waits for it to arrive at him and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Digs it short and on off, Nicholas Pooran climbs on the bounce and pulls it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Full and at a gentle pace, Shai Hope strides ahead and pushes it to long off for a single.

A slower one from Patrick Kruger to start with. Outside off and full, just inside the tramline. Shai Hope tries to reach out to it but misses.

This is on a fullish length, outside off, Nicholas Pooran steers it with an open bat face straight to backward point. A good second over for Maphaka, just 5 runs off it.  At the halfway mark, West Indies find themselves ahead in the chase, needing 75 runs from 60 balls.

100 comes up for West Indies! On a length, on off, Shai Hope presents the full face of the bat and times the drive to the left of mid off where Aiden Markram keeps it down to one with a slide.

Short and wide on off, Nicholas Pooran stands tall and cuts it to deep point for one more run.

Full and strays at the pads does Maphaka, Nicholas Pooran turns this one right between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for a couple of runs.

On a back of a length, on off, Shai Hope hops and with a high elbow, he punches it past cover for a single.

Maphaka comes from around the wicket and dishes it out on a length, on off, Shai Hope firms the drive but straight to cover.

Low full toss, wide on off, Nicholas Pooran opens the bat face to glide but picks out the man at short third.

Change of ends for Kwena Maphaka, 1-0-9-0 so far.

WIDE! And again! Short and beyond the wide guideline on off for a wide.

WIDE! Fortuin bowls it slower through the air and tries to stay away from Pooran's hitting arc but sprays it beyond the tramline on off for a wide.

SIX! Dispatched! Fortuin pushes it through, full and outside off. Nicholas Pooran gets this one right where he needs it. Frees his arms and cross bats this one over long off for a six.

Coming in with the arm, on off and middle, full in length, Shai Hope eases the drive to long off and gets to the other end.

Tossed up, full and on off, Shai Hope lunges and defends it out.

At 98.6 kph and keeps it full, on middle, Nicholas Pooran swings too hard for the slog sweep and loses his shape in the process. Miscues it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Darted in, full and around off, Shai Hope hangs on the back foot and punches it through covers for a single.

Nicholas Pooran walks in at number 3.

OUT! TAKEN! Ottneil Baartman breaks through for South Africa! The bowling change has done the trick for them. Baartman hurls it full in length with an upright seam, just outside off. Alick Athanaze stays rooted in the crease and is unable to transfer his weight on the front foot as he looks to loft it over mid off. The bat turns in his hand at the point of contact and Athanaze spoons the simplest of catches to Aiden Markram at mid off. Athanaze has done his job though.

Pace on and attacking the stumps, Shai Hope works this full delivery in front of square on the leg side and turns the strike over.

Baartman takes pace off and bowls it slightly fuller, on off, Alick Athanaze waits on it and glides it late to the right of backward point for a quick single.

Stays over the wicket for the left-hander and serves it in the channel on off, on a back of a length, dabbed from the crease to backward point.

At 134.8 kph, full and sliding onto the pads, Shai Hope brings his wrists into play and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Good placement! On a hard length, on middle, Shai Hope gets on his toes and places this one right between wide long and deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Ottneil Baartman (1-0-13-0) is back into the attack, replacing Markram.

Slightly fuller, on middle, Shai Hope knocks it down to long on and keeps the strike with a single.

Tucks the batter up for room as this keeps coming on with the angle, short and on middle, Shai Hope can only punch it off the back foot to cover.

Full and on the pads, not much turn on offer, Alick Athanaze flicks it through square leg for a single.

Short and sliding across, on off, slapped straight to cover by Athanaze.

Sprays it on the pads, on a nagging length, Alick Athanaze glances it straight to short fine leg.

In the air...but safe! Bowled with a flatter trajectory, short and around off, Alick Athanaze switches his stance to play the reverse. Gets a bit of a top edge that flies over short third. Kwena Maphaka turns around and goes after it but the swirling ball evades him and falls well wide of him. Two runs taken.

Bjorn Fortuin (1-0-9-0) is back for his second spell. He replaces Nandre Burger.

SIX! Belted down the ground! in the slot by Markram, on off and middle, Shai Hope stays low to make the connection and gets underneath it nicely. Launches it towards the sight screen for another biggie. That caps off an excellent Powerplay for the West Indies, 75/0!

FOUR! Sloppy from Donovan Ferreira in the deep! Markram fires it in, full and around off, Shai Hope drags the slog sweep along the carpet to the left of deep mid-wicket where Ferreira tumbles to his left but fails to cut it off as the ball goes under him and into the fence.

SIX! Easy as you like! Markram floats it up from over the wicket, full and on off, Shai Hope gets his weight on the front foot and holds his shape. Does not try to overhit it and just lofts it over mid off for a six.

Looped up, low full toss, on middle and leg, Athanaze is done in the flight and miscues the sweep shot. Luckily for him, he gets it over backward square leg for a single.

Gets the yorker in from around the wicket, on middle and leg, Athanaze has a swipe across the line but gets an inside edge onto the boot.

FOUR! Good proactive batting! Markram tosses this outside off, on a length, Athanaze walks across his stumps and sweeps it up and over square leg for a boundary.

Back of a length, and outside off, Alick Athanaze mistimes the pull shot to mid-wicket for a quick single. West Indies are off to a flier and they need 121 more to win from 90 remaining deliveries.

OH DEAR! That slips off Burger's fingers as he tries to attempt a slower leg cutter. It goes above the waist height from outside off. Alick Athanaze tries to cut it but misses. No Ball called straightaway by the umpire. Free Hit to follow.

SIX! WHAT A SHOT! Alick Athanaze into his 30s now. Nandre Burger misfires this on a shortish length, on the middle, Alick Athanaze gets his bat underneath it and pulls it over deep square leg for another huge six.

Pace off from Nandre Burger, on a length and outside off, Alick Athanaze guides it through backward point. A fumble by the fielder there allows them to cross over for the second.

Length ball, outside off, Alick Athanaze cuts it but finds the fielder at point this time around.

FOUR! Guided away nicely! Pressure right on the Proteas now! Nandre Burger offers a lot of width, on a length, Alick Athanaze sees the short third and point fielders inside the ring and threads the cut between the gap for a boundary at deep third.

SIX! KABOOM! Burger bowls short and on the stumps, Alick Athanaze waits for it to arrive as he creates a solid base for himself before pulling it over deep mid-wicket for a six.

FOUR! This has been a good positive start for the West Indies! Short and around off, Shai Hope swivels and pulls it well towards deep backward square leg for a boundary.

Ottneil Baartman bowls it full and around off, Shai Hope taps it back to bowler.

Full and angling into the off stump line again, Alick Athanaze misses to flick and gets rapped on the pad. Takes a leg bye as the ball rolls near the strip.

Around the stumps for Alick Athanaze now. Length and angling in, Alick Athanaze hangs back and cuts it to deep point for a couple of runs. A good effort there by the fielder in the deep who intercepts the ball and saves two for his side.

Full and around off, Shai Hope drives it to mid off and hurries for a quick single.

SIX! Gloriously struck! Ottneil Baartman starts off by delivering on a fractionally good length, around off, it skids rapidly off the deck. Shai Hope presents a straight bat with a good elbow extension, connects it off the middle of the bat and lofts it over the bowler's head for a six.

Kwena Maphaka bumps it into the surface and it jags back off the deck on the leg stump line, Alick Athanaze swings hard for a pull shot but misses.

WIDE! Full and down leg, Alick Athanaze misses to flick and it is called a wide.

Length-delivery on pads, Hope flicks it to deep square leg for a single.

In the air...lands safe!!! Short and on the off stump line, angling across, Shai Hope stands tall and looks to go airborne with a pull shot but mistimes it up in the air, but well over and behind mid-wicket. The ball lands in the deep mid-wicket region and they cross over for the second.

Short of a good length again from Maphaka, angling into the right hander, Shai Hope flicks it off the pads towards deep backward square leg for a couple of runs.

Short and on the stumps, at 141 kph, Alick Athanaze pulls it off the back foot towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

WIDE! He will have to reload that one! Down leg on a length. Wided.

Starts off from over the stumps and lands it right on the money! Slants it outside off on a length, Shai Hope drives it with an angled bat towards deep covers for a single.

The debutant, Kwena Maphaka comes into the attack as the first change. As per on-air commentators, Maphaka is the youngest to debut for South Africa in T20Is.

Going across the batter again, full and outside off, Alick Athanaze shapes up to play the reverse but gets beaten for pace.

Fired across the batter from around the wicket, Alick Athanaze drags this full delivery to the left of mid-wicket. Kwena Maphaka puts in a dive and takes the sting out of the ball. Gets back up on his feet and mops it up. Two runs taken.

SIX! First of the chase! Fortuin lands this right into the slot on the stumps, Alick Athanaze bends low and slogs it mercilessly over deep mid-wicket for a huge six.

A stifled appeal for LBW but the umpire shakes his head in denial! Bjorn Fortuin cramps the batter for room, full and in front of the stumps. Alick Athanaze tries to reverse sweep it but inside edges it onto the pads.

Fuller length at the pads. Shai Hope works it away through mid-wicket for a single.

Bjorn Fortuin comes from around the stumps, and drops it full outside off. Hope drives it to mid on but Fortuin is quick to move across and stops the ball.

It will be spin in the form of Bjorn Fortuin from the other end.

Nandre Burger goes outside off and moves it away from the southpaw. Alick Athanaze looks to guide it away to the off side but misses. A good start for South Africa and Nandre Burger. Just two off the first over.

Back of a length around leg stump. Alick Athanaze shimmies down but is cramped for room. Ends up by wearing it on the body.

Fuller length angling across and outside off. Shai Hope drives it straight to the cover fielder who gets his fingertips to the ball and parries it behind him. The fielder from mid off does well by moving to his left and intercepting the ball midway. A single taken.

Length ball, around off, Alick Athanaze arches back and hits it past the cover-point region for a single.

Fuller length on the leg stump line. Athanaze looks to work it on the leg side but gets a leading edge to backward point.

Hint of movement right away! Nandre Burger starts off from over the stumps and lands it outside off with the ball curving away and staying low on the bounce a bit as well. Alick Athanaze goes for an expansive drive but gets beaten.

Full and angling into off, Kwena Maphaka makes room and drives to cover for a single.

The debutant, Kwena Maphaka comes out to the middle.

OUT! TAKEN! Romario Shepherd finally gets one, but this has been an exceptional inning from Stubbs. Shepherd takes all the pace off the leather, runs in from around the stumps, slows it up full and on the leg stump line, Tristan Stubbs looks to take on and tries to take the aerial route once again, but gets undone by the lack of pace and goes through the swing pretty early. Gets no real timing on it and airs it straight into the safe hands of Rovman Powell who grabs it nicely at long on. He departs on 76 off just 42.

SIX! THAT IS OUTTA HERE! That is some muscle power from Stubbs! A friendly full toss from Shepherd, around the wickets and on the knee length, Tristan Stubbs waits for it to arrive and deposits it behind deep mid-wicket for a huge six.

FOUR! Destruction of the highest quality from Stubbs! Romario Shepherd delivers a loosener down leg, Tristan Stubbs simply tickles it down to deep fine for a boundary.

WIDE! Down leg from around the stumps. Tristan Stubbs swings hard to flick but misses. Wide called.

FOUR! That's neat from Stubbs! Romario Shepherd searches for the yorker but offers a juicy full toss outside off, Tristan Stubbs hammers it down the ground for a boundary. The ball deflects off the bowler's hand and still has enough wheels to run into the fence for a boundary.

Shepherd hustles from around the stumps and delivers it full at the stumps, Tristan Stubbs flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a brace. Good running between the stumps by the two.

Too full and wide of off, Bjorn Fortuin guides it to deep covers and Tristan Stubbs refuses to take the single as he wants the strike in the next over. An expensive penultimate over from Shamar Joseph. 24 runs off it, the most expensive over of the inning.

NO BALL AND FOUR! Shamar Joseph is under the pump in this penultimate over. The Free Hit sustains! An attempted yorker outside off, Bjorn Fortuin stays leg side of the ball and squeezes it out towards deep third for a boundary. A No Ball has been called as there were only three fielders stationed inside the inner ring.

Another No Ball! Dear, oh dear! Full and at the stumps, Stubbs flicks it to mid-wicket for a single. West Indies cannot afford to bowl these extras at all. Also, 150 up for the Proteas.

SIX! Tristan Stubbs is looking unstoppable at the moment! Banged in short and outside off by Joseph, Stubbs jumps and gets on the top of the bounce and pulls it over deep mid-wicket for a cracking six.

On a length, around off, Bjorn Fortuin stabs it away to point for a single.

FOUR! Bjorn Fortuin joins in and scores crucial runs now! Short and outside off, Bjorn Fortuin weighs on the back foot and flat-bats it straight down the ground for a boundary.

Good comeback from Joseph! Length ball outside off, Tristan Stubbs drags it to deep mid-wicket for just a single.

NO BALL! Full and outside off, Tristan Stubbs looks to squeeze it out but misses. The umpire signals No Ball as Shamar Joseph has overstepped here. Free Hit to follow.

FOUR! A gem of a knock from Tristan Stubbs as he notches up his 2nd T20I FIFTY! An inning of adaptability and masterfully switching gears from him. Outside off on a length, Tristan Stubbs stands upright and lets the ball arrive. Gets a good bounce around the chest level and flat-bats it over covers for a boundary.

Pushed through, full and on off, Bjorn Fortuin drives it to cover.

Full in length, around leg, Stubbs flicks it to cow corner for a single.

FOUR! Misfield and gets it through. The hosts have been pretty ordinary in the field! Quick, flat and on the middle and leg, Tristan Stubbs stays leg side of the ball as he moves outside leg and uses the depth of the crease to perfection. Punches it through covers as the ball evades the fielder stationed just around the inner ring and races away for a boundary.

Not that short, outside off on a fractionally fuller length, Bjorn Fortuin crouches and cuts it past backward point for a single.

This one tails back in from around the stumps, at off and full, Bjorn Fortuin alertly pushes it back to the bowler.

A bit short in length, over the top of middle, Tristan Stubbs rocks back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Gudakesh Motie comes on for his last over. 3-0-24-0 so far.

Full in length and at the stumps, Tristan Stubbs drills it down to long on for a single. End of a fantastic spell by Forde, 4-0-27-3.

FOUR! TWO IN TWO FOR STUBBS! He moves into his 40s now! A friendly full toss on leg, Tristan Stubbs obliges and flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary. He is providing a much-needed impetus to the South African innings.

FOUR! Stubbs is in the mood to shift gears now! Overpitched outside off, Tristan Stubbs gets the length in his arc and extends his arms, connects from the middle of the blade and drives through the covers for a boundary.

Takes all the pace off the leather does Matthew Forde, lands it on a good length, outside off, Tristan Stubbs rides on the bounce and flicks it to the front of the square to the leg side for a couple.

Fuller and outside off, Bjorn Fortuin gets ahead and drives it to mid off for a quick single.

Bjorn Fortuin comes in at number 8.

OUT! TAKEN! Matthew Forde comes, and Matthew Forde strikes back again. He can do nothing wrong in this game as he gets his third wicket by dismissing the dangerous-looking Patrick Kruger. Forde lands it quite full and in front of the stumps, skids through rapidly off the deck as well. Patrick Kruger shuffles across off and tries to execute the ramp shot over the short fine but he loses his balance as the pace takes him off guard, and ends up chipping it straight and flat to Alick Athanaze stationed at short fine. A massive, massive wicket in the context of the game.

Matthew Forde (3-0-15-2) will bowl out now.

Length, around middle, Patrick Kruger punches it to long off for a single.

Good length, outside off, Tristan Stubbs backs away for a cut but it takes the thickish outside edge and uppishly flies over short third for a single.

Pressure creeping up on the West Indian fielders now. Length ball, on the stumps, Tristan Stubbs flicks it to deep square leg for a single. A slight fumble in the deep allows them to cross over for the second.

FOUR! SHOT! Too full and on middle, Tristan Stubbs gets the length in his arc, and responds it with a reverse sweep over the short third region for a boundary.

Full and around the middle and leg, Patrick Kruger lofts it aerially over mid on and the ball lands on one bounce in front of the long on fielder. One taken.

Shortish in length, angling in with the arm on the middle, Tristan Stubbs tucks it to long on for a quick single.

Gudakesh Motie (2-0-14-0) is back.

FOUR! 100 comes up for South Africa! Joseph keeps it full and straight, at the stumps, Patrick Kruger backs away and drills it to the right of deep cover. Gudakesh Motie sprints to his right but he is late to put the dive in. Tries to slide and stop it with his right hand but in vain as the ball deflects off his hand and trickles into the fence. Motie should have done better there,

Joseph nails the yorker, on middle, Tristan Stubbs squeezes it out in front of deep mid-wicket for one.

Low full toss, slanting into the pads, Patrick Kruger clips it to deep mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

A sharp and quick bumper by Joseph this time, at the batter, Patrick Kruger hurriedly swings to drag the pull shot away but misses.

Full and near the tramline on off, Patrick Kruger reaches out to big on the off side but connects with thin air.

NO BALL! Joseph digs it in short and it is the slower one as well, Patrick Kruger waits and looks to ramp it over the keeper but misses. Shamar has overstepped. Free Hit to follow now.

Joseph tries the yorker, on middle and leg, Tristan Stubbs uses his feet and takes it on the full. Drives it wide of mid off for a single.

Shamar Joseph (2-0-8-2) is called back into the attack. He replaces Gudakesh Motie.

FOUR! Streaky but Patrick Kruger and South Africa will take it. Runs flowing nicely for South Africa, 40 runs off the last 3 overs. This is on a hard length, on off, Patrick Kruger looks to punch it away but gets an outside edge that races past short third for a boundary.

SIX! Clean as a whistle! Shepherd digs it in short, on middle but this sits up nicely for the batter. Patrick Kruger cracks the pull over deep square leg for a boundary.

Cleverly bowled! Shepherd spots the batter's movement as he shapes up to play the scoop, so he bowls it wide on off and takes all the pace off, on a length. Patrick Kruger adjusts to glide it through short third but misses.

Pace off again, on a short of a good length, Patrick Kruger dabs this one on the off side but can't get it past backward point.

Shepherd takes pace off and serves it full, on middle, Patrick Kruger taps it with soft hands in the vacant mid-wicket region for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Gets it through! This is on a back of a length, outside off, Patrick Kruger waits on it and cuts it late to pierce the gap between short third and backward point for a boundary.

Romario Shepherd (1-0-5-0) is back into the attack.

Very full, at the stumps, Patrick Kruger drills it down the deck. Motie takes the sting out of the ball as he gets a hand to it on his follow through but cannot prevent the single. Another good over for South Africa, 10 runs off it.

Full and sliding on with the angle, Tristan Stubbs knocks it down to long off and turns the strike over.

Short again, around off, Patrick Kruger stays on the back foot and cuts it to deep point for a single.

Short and on off, cut straight to backward point by Kruger.

Miscued but safe! At 89.7 kph, full and darted in, on middle, Tristan Stubbs tries the slog sweep again but gets this one off the toe end of the bat and it goes on the bounce to the rushing long on fielder. A single taken.

Halt! It is quite humid out there and a quick hydration break has been called. With a long tail to follow, South Africa would want this 6th wicket partnership to stabilize the wayward inning so far. Tristan Stubbs and Patrick Kruger have added some quick runs in the last few overs and would want to see their team through the innings. With 141 being the average first inning score at this venue, West Indies would want to restrict their counterparts on a sub-par total as chasing has been historically tacky here.

SIX! BOOM! Deposited onto the roof! Motie comes from around the wicket and dishes out a full delivery from that angle, right into the batter's hitting arc. Tristan Stubbs gets down on one knee and smokes it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

This goes straight on, on a length, on middle, Patrick Kruger closes the bat face early and gets a soft leading edge that dribbles towards the bowler. A much-needed productive over for South Africa, 14 runs off it.

On a nagging length, on middle and leg, Tristan Stubbs rocks back and nudges it in front of square on the leg side for one more run.

This is flat and short, on middle, Patrick Kruger punches it down to long on and rotates the strike.

FOUR! Skillfully done! Chase bowls it quicker and fuller, on middle, Patrick Kruger plays the reverse sweep and hits it over backward point for four more runs.

SIX! Massive hit! A boundary after 29 deliveries for South Africa. Chase serves it right in the slot, on off, Patrick Kruger brings out the slog sweep and nails the hit over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

WIDE! Short and turning down leg, Patrick Kruger flicks but misses.

Stubbs backs away on the leg side and Chase spots it. Follows him with a full delivery, that is knocked down to long on for one by Stubbs.

Slanting into the pads and the length is full, Tristan Stubbs clips it through square leg and retains the strike with a single.

Motie pushes it through, on a hard length, on middle, kept out off the back foot by Stubbs.

Slower and fuller by Motie, at the stumps, Patrick Kruger eases the drive to long on and gets to the other end.

Short again, just outside off, Tristan Stubbs cuts it late and wide of short third for a run.

Drops it short and outside off, Patrick Kruger rocks back and cuts it past backward point for a single.

Motie comes into the attack and fires it in from around the wicket, full and drifting in, on off and middle, Patrick Kruger stays leg side of the ball and pushes it back to the bowler.

Keeps the line and length intact, around off, giving no room at all. Tristan Stubbs rocks back and punches it straight to cover. Halfway through into the first inning, South Africa are 51/5.

Length ball, on the top of the stumps, Patrick Kruger pushes it through mid on for a single.

Quick and flat from 'round the stumps, on a length around off, Patrick Kruger is stuck in his crease as his looks to swipe across the line but the ball skids through quickly, takes the thick inside edge onto the pads.

Pushed through, fractionally fuller in length, outside off, Tristan Stubbs bends low on the back foot and cuts it past point for one.

Slightly short, around off, Patrick Kruger punches it through cover for one.

Length ball on the pads. Stubbs flicks it to the right of diving short fine leg for a quick single.

Hurls it on a good length, attacking the stumps, Patrick Kruger goes on the back foot and pats it to mid on.

Good length outside the off stump. Patrick Kruger plays it late a bit as he bends low on the back foot. Opens the bat face and punches it to the right of deep third man for a couple of runs.

Length ball, attacking the off stump. Kruger punches it back at the bowler.

Identical line and length, again and outside the off stump. Patrick Kruger punches it to backward point.

Back of a length on the middle stump now, much closer to the bodyline. Kruger clips it through mid-wicket and runs for the second as the deep square leg fielder mops it up near the ropes.

Back of a length and outside off. Stubbs opens the bat face to dab it to deep third man for a single.

Patrick Kruger is the new man in. Also, a change in bowling as Romario Shepherd comes into the attack.

OUT! TAKEN! Half of the South African side is back in the sheds now and the trouble is getting deeper and deeper for the visitors. West Indies right on top! Akeal Hosein delivers an arm ball, drifting away from leg and full in length, following the batter as Donovan Ferreira moves outside leg. He tries to execute the inside out lofted shot over covers but fails to connect it off the middle and gets no elevation on it. He hits it flat and straight to the cover fielder where Gudakesh Motie makes no mistake and takes a good sharp catch.

Shortish length on the leg stump. Stubbs rocks back and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Trying to be innovative there Stubbs! Full and flat on off, Tristan Stubbs attempts the switch hit but hits it off the cue end towards the first slip fielder, Shai Hope who reacts quickly and stops the ball.

Floated on the middle, and full in length, Donovan Ferreira leans out for a defence but inside edges it through the square leg region for a single.

Length, on middle and turning away, punched to the off side by Donovan Ferreira.

A halt in play as the physio is out for Tristan Stubbs, after being hit from a throw on the right shoulder on the previous delivery. We are all good to go now.

Nice running between the stumps! Tossed up and pushed through on middle and leg, full in length, Donovan Ferreira flicks it around the corner with soft hands towards the cow corner region and scampers back for the second. The fielder throws it towards the bowler's end as Stubbs drops his bat and runs through to get home. The ball, however, strikes his right shoulder.

Change of ends for Akeal Hosein. 2-6-14-0 so far.

Right into the blockhole from Joseph, in front of the stumps, Tristan Stubbs is quick to jam his bat down in time and digs it back to the bowler. The ball deflects off Shamar Joseph's fingers and parries to the mid on region who collects on a single bounce to end another successful over for the hosts.

Joseph goes a bit fuller this time, outside off, Donovan Ferreira takes a good stride out and drives it firmly through covers for a single.

Short of a length just and outside the off stump. Donovan Ferreira hops back, opens the bat face and punches it to point.

FOUR! Aesthetically pleasing! Short of a good length, around off, Donovan Ferreira rides on the spongy bounce and punches it through the cover-point gap for a cracking boundary to get off the mark.

Back of a length on the middle stump. Ferreira gets behind its line and blocks it in front of cover.

Donovan Ferreira walks in with South Africa in all sorts of trouble.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Shamar Joseph got his first one on the first delivery of his first over and now gets his second on the first ball of his second over! Shamar Joseph hurls it down the leg stump line, on an overpitched length, skidding through very quickly off the deck. Rassie van der Dussen is a bit late to bring his bat down and goes for a flick shot to the leg side. Gets a faint feather on the willow that goes flat and low behind the pegs. Nicholas Pooran bends low and takes a good sharp catch. The disaster for the Proteas continues as they lose their fourth wicket.

Nice and full at middle, Rassie van der Dussen flicks it with his wrists towards deep mid-wicket for a single. 7 runs from Forde's third over. South Africa are 33/3 after the end of the mandatory powerplay, currently struggling to get the momentum.

Goes short this time around does Forde, around off, Rassie van der Dussen rides on the bounce and punches it to cover.

An attempted yorker at the pegs, Tristan Stubbs shovels it out to mid on for a single.

FOUR! Nicely done! Matthew Forde lands it outside off and full in length, Tristan Stubbs gets behind the line of the ball, squats and executes the ramp shot over short fine for a boundary.

On a length on the stumps. Tristan Stubbs flicks it straight to short mid-wicket.

Good fielding there! Matthew Forde keeps the length and line tight, on a length and into the middle stump line, Rassie van der Dussen tucks it to the right of the mid-wicket fielder who moves and dives to his right to intercept the ball. One taken.

Slanting into the right-hander, on a back of a length, Rassie van der Dussen gets on his toes and clips it off his pads in front of deep mid-wicket for one.

Play and a miss! A scrambled seam delivery, in the channel on off, Rassie van der Dussen hangs on the back foot and fiddles at the delivery. He is lucky not to have nicked it behind.

On a hard length, closer to the off-stump line, Rassie van der Dussen rides the bounce nicely and punches it through covers. Opens his account with a couple of runs.

Lands it on a back of a length, outside off, Rassie van der Dussen hops to get the cut shot away but the ball stops in the surface. Rassie miscues the shot to cover.

Pitched up by Joseph, on off, Rassie van der Dussen gets behind the line and defends it out.

This has been a wondrous start for the hosts! Rassie van der Dussen is the new batter in at number 5.

OUT! CAUGHT! Shamar Joseph strikes with his first delivery! The start gets better for West Indies. Not a wicket-taking delivery by any means as this is on the pads, on a length, Reeza Hendricks gets inside the line slightly and tries to help it away off his pads. Closes the bat face early and gets a leading edge that flies all the way down to deep third. It goes straight down the throat of Akeal Hosein who takes a couple of steps in off the ropes and completes the catch.

Shamar Joseph has been introduced into the attack, replacing Akeal Hosein.

Length delivery, on off, Tristan Stubbs dabs it out in front of point from the crease. End of yet another successful over for Matthew Forde.

Tristan Stubbs is the new batter in at number 4.

OUT! TAKEN! A soft dismissal! Matthew Forde gets the big wicket of the Proteas skipper! With a deep square leg and deep mid-wicket in place, Forde bashes the hard length and keeps it around middle and leg, Aiden Markram walks into the shot and looks to whip it past mid on. The ball sticks in the surface and that results in Markram going through his shot early and ends up hitting it much straighter. Hits it straight to Gudakesh Motie at mid on who takes a few steps back and takes it to his left.

Serves it on a short of a good length, on middle, Reeza Hendricks rolls his wrists on the ball and pulls it along the ground to the right of deep square leg. Shamar Joseph runs around and cuts it off. A single taken.

Leg bye! On the pads, on a back of a length, Aiden Markram swings to heave it behind square on the leg side but misses. The ball rolls away off his pads towards backward square leg for a leg bye.

At 134.1 kph, into the wicket, angling in, on middle and leg, Aiden Markram initially looks to work it across the line but then adjusts to play it in front of mid off.

Forde hurls it on a hard length, on off, Reeza Hendricks gets on his toes and punches it to the left of mid off for a single.

SIX! Clean strike! Fractionally short by Hosein, on middle, Aiden Markram gets on the back foot in a flash and thumps it over long on for the first six of the game. After a 3-run first over, Hosein goes for 11 runs in his second over.

FOUR! Innovative and effective! This was fired in by Hosein, on middle, on a length, Aiden Markram brings out the reverse and hits it over short third for a boundary.

An absolute beauty! Drifting in from around the wicket, slower through the air, full and on middle and leg, Aiden Markram lunges to keep it out with a straight bat but the ball pitches and then spins away to beat the bat and it goes just over the stumps.

Flat and short, at the stumps, Reeza Hendricks sweeps it aerially but well in front of deep square leg for a single.

Tossed up, full and on off, driven straight to cover by Reeza Hendricks.

This goes straight on with the arm, on a nagging length, Reeza Hendricks tries to get on the front foot to defend it but the ball sticks in the surface and pops up to strike the upper half of the bat and it lobs in front of cover.

Beaten! Forde drags his length back and gets the wobble seam delivery to nip away off the deck, Aiden Markram looks to drive it on the up but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Much better from Forde, fuller and on the off stump line, Aiden Markram transfers his weight on the front foot and pushes it to mid on.

FOUR! Cracked away! Not too wide on off but wide enough for Markram to free his arms, on a short of a good length. Aiden Markram nails the cut through cover-point for a boundary.

Forde pitches it right up to the batter and gets the ball to shape into the batter, Aiden Markram leans on it and clips it to mid-wicket.

The South African skipper, Aiden Markram walks in at number 3.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Matthew Forde with the first strike for the West Indies! Not the best of deliveries but Forde will take it. Forde goes wide of the crease on the around-the-wicket angle and bowls it short and wide on off, there to be put away. Ryan Rickelton stays rooted in the crease and throws his hands at the delivery. Ends up nicking it behind to the keeper, Nicholas Pooran who makes no mistake. Matthew Forde sprints to his fellow teammates in celebration and is all pumped up, rightly so!

Forde steams in from around the wicket and lands it on a hard length, in the channel on off, Ryan Rickelton punches it square of the wicket and gets it past cover for a couple of runs.

Matthew Forde to share the attack for the West Indies from the other end.

Hosein floats it up and keeps it full, Ryan Rickelton eases the drive to long on to pick up a single. A tidy start by Akeal Hosein.

So nearly sneaked through! Fuller in length by Akeal Hosein, attacking the stumps, Reeza Hendricks presses forward to push it past the bowler with a straight bat but gets an inside edge that sneaks past the leg stump and rolls wide of short fine leg for one.

And again! Honing in at the stumps from around the wicket, darted back in, Reeza Hendricks hurriedly jams it out on the leg side.

There's that ball from Akeal Hosein that curves back into the right-hander and it skids through as well, on a nagging length, on off, Reeza Hendricks rocks back and blocks it out.

Ryan Rickelton and South Africa are underway! Akeal slows it up and gets the ball to grip and turn, short and on middle, Ryan Rickelton waits on it and punches it down to long on for a single.

Spears it in at 82.3 kph from over the wicket, short and on the pads, Ryan Rickelton goes on the back foot and helps it off his pads to short fine leg.

Done with all the pre-match formalities and it is time to get the action underway. The crowd has started to fill in the stands as the weather has cleared up now. The umpires are punctual and out to the middle. The West Indian players are seen in a circle, discussing last-minute strategies before spreading out to their fielding positions. Reeza Hendricks and Ryan Rickelton are the two openers for the Proteas. A typical left-hand right-hand combination. And as usual, spin to start with. Akeal Hosein will kickoff the proceedings with the new ball for the West Indies. And, here we go...

Well then, folks! We are just a few minutes away from the action to commence in this first T20I. But before that, the two sets of players are lined up for their respective national anthems. The national anthem of Trinidad and Tobago will be played first. It will be followed by the South African national anthem. And lastly, it will be the cricket anthem of the West Indies - 'Rally 'Round the West Indies'.

You may be wondering about the conditions now that the rain has passed. Nikhil Uttamchandani is out in the middle with the answers. He reports that it's very pleasant on the ground, and the skies are clear in the direction from where the rain came. The ground staff are not too concerned about the weather at this point. He also notes that the outfield has dried up excellently, thanks to the venue's efficient drainage system.

PITCH REPORT - Darren Ganga and Stacy Ann-King were inspecting the deck before the rain arrived at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. King begins by saying that there is some grass and the bowlers might extract some pace and bounce due to atmospheric moisture. Ganga joins her and says the average score is 141 while batting first but he reckons there could be more.

UPDATE - 7.36 pm GMT - Well, there's another update! The start of the match has been officially slated at 8 pm GMT now. No overs have been lost. But, if there's any further delay, we might see the overs getting slashed. Let's hope for the best. Stay tuned for further updates.

UPDATE - 7.33 pm GMT - We should have started by now as per the official word, but there's another slight delay in the start of the game as the groundsmen are working hard to get the field ready to get the play underway as soon as possible. Stick around for further updates.

UPDATE - 7.13 pm GMT - Some positive news coming our way! It has stopped raining and the covers are coming off. If there's no further rain, the game is set to commence at 7.30 pm GMT. No overs will be lost, as we had a 60-minute buffer before overs would start being reduced.

UPDATE - 6.52 pm GMT - According to Natalie Germanos on air, the rain has reduced in intensity, and it has brightened up a bit. We are in for a delayed start, but the radar suggests the rain should move along soon. Stick around for more news.

South Africa (Playing XI) - Reeza Hendricks, Ryan Rickelton (WK), Aiden Markram (C), Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Donovan Ferreira, Patrick Kruger, Bjorn Fortuin, Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Kwena Maphaka (On T20I debut).

West Indies (Playing XI) - Shai Hope, Alick Athanaze, Nicholas Pooran (WK), Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell (C), Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph.

UPDATE - 6.39 pm GMT - Just as Nikhil Uttamchandani was interviewing the two captains at the toss, a drizzle quickly escalated into a downpour, cutting Aiden Markram's interview short. The rain is now pouring heavily, and puddles have already started to form in the outfield. However, we still have 60 minutes of extra time before overs begin to be lost. Team news coming your way shortly...

The captain of South Africa, Aiden Markram says that they would have bowled first as well with the rain around. Adds that it is an advantage while chasing under DLS method. Hopes that this is just a passing shower.

Rovman Powell, the captain of West Indies says it looks like a pretty good surface and with some rain around, it is good to bowl first. On being asked about the T20 World Cup campaign, he says it was a disappointing one as they had the team to go through. Informs they are going with 6 regular batters, two spinners and two quicks.

TOSS - West Indies have won the toss and they have opted to BOWL first.

On the South African side, a strategic decision has been made to rest several of their regular T20 players, focussing instead on building squad depth. The squad announcement was highlighted by the inclusion of young pace prodigy Kwena Maphaka, who has been turning heads since being named 'Player of the Tournament' at the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year. This series will be his first taste of international cricket, and it will be interesting to see how he handles the pressure. The stage is set for what promises to be an entertaining series. Which team are you backing to take the lead? Stick around for the toss and team news.

The West Indies come into this series with a solid core, retaining 11 of the 15 players from their T20 World Cup squad. After the disappointment of missing out on the semifinals on home soil, Rovman Powell and Co. will be eager to set things right and they have the experience to get the job done. All eyes will be on Nicholas Pooran, who has been in exceptional form this year, and his performance will be key to the hosts' success in the series.

Nearly two months after their thrilling Super 8 clash at the T20 World Cup, South Africa and the West Indies are set to reignite their rivalry. Though the stakes may not be as high this time around, the anticipation is palpable as these two formidable teams lock horns again. Hello and welcome to the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad, for the first of three T20Is. While South Africa secured the Test series, the T20 format presents a new challenge for both sides.

... MATCH DAY ...

It has been a year of celebration in the Caribbean with the Men's T20 World Cup taking place a couple of months ago and the Caribbean Premier League on the horizon. But in between that, we are lucky to be witnessing some fantastic bilateral series action with the Proteas coming to the shores. West Indies and South Africa have already played a two-match Test series that the visitors won by 1-0 and now it is time for some action-packed and fast-paced T20 action to begin. It is a three-match series with all games set to be played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago. Given how both teams are set up, there are going to be a fair bit of changes in personnel from the Test series. West Indies will be led by their power-packed middle-order batter Rovman Powell and they have some serious muscle power given a few of the names on the side but one name, in particular, stands out and that is of Nicholas Pooran who has enjoyed a fruitful last 12 months or so and with the pressure of captaincy off his shoulders, Pooran looks to be back at his best. Obed McCoy and Shamar Joseph will be their frontline seamers with plenty of options on the spin front and the likes of Shimron Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford will be looking to go ballistic in that middle order as well. Moving on to South Africa, they have more of an inexperienced side in terms of international prowess and skipper Aiden Markram will hold the key with the bat for them. With Quinton de Kock now retired and Heinrich Klaasen not in the side for this series, the likes of Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs will look to shine as both have had pretty successful seasons in terms of franchise cricket and Stubbs has all of a sudden become member of the Proteas set up in the last year or so. Ottneil Baartman, Lungi Ngidi, Lizaad Williams and Wiaan Mulder have all been a part of the international scene for a while now and will constitute the pace-attack in addition to young pace sensation Kwena Maphaka who took the world by storm in the last Under-19 World Cup. Both sides are filled with talent and potential but the Windies do have the experience especially in their batting lineup and the young guns of South Africa will really need to step up and make everyone feel that they belong on the biggest stage. Who are you backing for the win?