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West Indies beat South Africa by 6 runs in rain-hit 3rd T20I

West Indies beat South Africa by 6 runs in the 3rd T20I at the Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, in a dramatic match heavily affected by rain and lightning. Despite the defeat, South Africa secured the three-match T20I series 2-1 after winning the first two encounters.

The final game, played under challenging weather conditions, turned into a 10-over contest per side, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the very last ball.

Weather disruptions shape the contest.

The match started 75 minutes late due to lightning concerns, forcing officials to reduce it initially to a 16-over contest. However, after just six overs ofthe  West Indies’ innings, play was stopped again as rain and lightning returned.

Following a long delay of nearly an hour, the game was further reduced to a 10-over match. West Indies were left with only four overs to complete their innings, making every delivery crucial.

Shimron Hetmyer’s fearless knock lifts West Indies.

Batting first, the  West Indies posted 114 runs in their 10 overs. Shimron Hetmyer played a decisive role, smashing an unbeaten 48 off just 22 balls, including six towering sixes. Hetmyer stunned everyone by batting without a helmet or cap, showing remarkable confidence.

One of his massive sixes even struck a spectator in the stands, briefly halting play as medical staff attended to the fan. Shai Hope supported well with a quick 32 off 18 balls, ensuring West Indies crossed the 100-run mark.

Based on the Duckworth-Lewis method, South Africa was set a revised target of 125 runs.

De Kock’s explosive start, Motie turns the game.

Chasing 125, Quinton de Kock came out firing, scoring 19 runs in the very first over and making his intentions clear. However, captain Aiden Markram was dismissed cheaply, and de Kock soon followed after scoring 23.

The middle order tried to revive the chase as Ryan Rickelton and Dewald Brevis struck some big shots. But spinner Gudakesh Motie changed the momentum by dismissing both batters in the same over. Motie finished with impressive figures of 3 wickets for 17 runs in 2 overs.

Shamar Joseph holds nerve in tensefinishs.h

South Africa needed 27 runs off the final 12 balls, and Tristan Stubbs briefly raised hopes with aggressive hitting. The equation came down to 15 runs off the last five balls.

Making his first appearance of the series, Shamar Joseph delivered a superb final over, bowling pinpoint yorkers. He uprooted Jason Smith’s middle stump and kept the pressure on. South Africa needed eight off the final ball, but Corbin Bosch managed only a single run, sealing a narrow win for the visitors.

Pink T20 highlights social cause

The match was also South Africa’s annual Pink T20, aimed at raising awareness and funds for breast cancer treatment. Though they lost the game, South Africa took positives from the series, especially the middle-order batting exposure ahead of future tournaments.

While South Africa celebrated a 2-1 series win, West Indies beat South Africa by 6 runs in the 3rd T20I to end the tour on a high, thanks to Shimron Hetmyer’s brilliance and a calm bowling finish under pressure.