The Wanderers turned pink for a cause, but it was the West Indies who walked away with a hard-fought six-run victory (DLS method) in a lightning-shortened T20I thriller. Despite South Africa already securing the series, this final encounter served as a high-stakes dress rehearsal for the upcoming T20 World Cup, providing both teams with plenty of drama and late-game pressure.
Lightning Delays and a Sprint to the Finish
The match was far from traditional, as persistent lightning strikes around Johannesburg forced multiple delays. Originally set for a full 20 overs, the contest was first chopped to 16, then eventually to a frantic 10-overs-a-side shootout. The stop-start nature of the evening didn’t dampen the spirits of a sold-out crowd, who watched the West Indies post a formidable 114 for 3 in their allotted time.
Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer were the architects of the Caribbean onslaught, both finishing on 48 runs. Hetmyer was particularly destructive, clearing the ropes six times—including one massive strike that unfortunately found the forehead of a spectator. Hope matched the intensity, dismantling Keshav Maharaj’s spin as the Windies looked to salvage pride after two heavy defeats earlier in the series.
A Tense Chase and a Final Over Twist
Chasing a DLS-adjusted target of 125, South Africa started like a house on fire. Quinton de Kock blazed 19 runs off the opening over, but the momentum shifted when Gudakesh Motie entered the fray. Motie turned the tide by removing both de Kock and the dangerous Ryan Rickelton, finishing with impressive figures of 3-17 in a format where bowlers usually have nowhere to hide.
The Proteas’ middle order finally got the “hit out” they needed. Dewald Brevis and Jason Smith showed flashes of brilliance, with Smith launching a late-game assault that brought the equation down to 15 runs required off the final five balls. However, the West Indies’ nerves held steady.
Young sensation Shamar Joseph, making his series debut, was handed the ball for the final over. Joseph proved his mettle under immense pressure, cleaning up Smith’s middle stump with a perfect yorker. In a bizarre final sequence, Corbin Bosch broke his bat on the penultimate ball and failed to ground it while running, resulting in a “one-short” penalty. The error left South Africa needing an impossible eight runs off the final delivery, allowing the West Indies to secure a narrow consolation win.
