T20 World Cup Super-Eights Heartbreak for West Indies as SA win thriller and enter semi-finals

Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada celebrate South Africa’s win

South Africa overcame rain and a strong, late resistance from West Indies to surge into the semi-final of the T20 World Cup after 10 long years when they won their final Super8 match by three wickets under the DLS method at North Sound on Sunday.

Chasing a modest target of 136, which was reduced to 123 off 17 overs due to rain, South Africa were on top at one stage before suffering a collapse. While there were concerns they might end up falling short in a big World Cup again, the lower order bailed them out right at the end to seal their spot in the final four.

In a low scoring game the last thing you need while defending a low total is being erratic. That coupled with a bit of ill luck meant West Indies fell behind. While South Africa didn’t score a lot in the middle overs, West Indies ended up conceding many boundaries, few off edges and also bowled a few wides that only made things easier for the Proteas. Those costly errors ensured South Africa had enough in the tank to pull through despite the late wobble.

Jansen struck in the first over for South Africa to send back Shai Hope, that brought in two left-handers and Aiden Markram brought himself on and the move paid immediate dividends as a rash Nicholas Pooran slog found long-off. Kyle Mayers, brought in for Johnson Charles, and Roston Chase added 81 for the third wicket, with both riding their luck being dropped early. South Africa relied on spin and they bowled 12 of them, most by them in a T20 World Cup match. Tabraiz Shamsi was the last spinner brought on and he squeezed the middle-order with three timely blows. From 86-2 West Indies collapsed to 97-6 in no time. Andre Russell struck two massive sixes, but his dismissal, run-out at the start of the 18th over saw West Indies ending with only a moderate score. By knocking the co-hosts out and topping the Super8 group, South Africa are likely to avoid a clash with India in the final four.

Scores: West Indies 135-8 (20) (Kyle Mayers 35, Roston Chase 52, Tabraiz Shamsi 3/27)

South Africa 124-7 (16.1) (Tristan Stubbs 29, Heinrich Klassen 22, Marco Jansen 21*, Andre Russell 2/19, Alzarri Joseph 2/25, Roston Chase 3/12)