South Africa opened their account in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 by defeating West Indies by 8 wickets at the Duai International Cricket Stadium on the 26th of October. Both South Africa & West Indies had lost their opening match against Australia & England respectively. The defeat for West Indies is a wake up call not because they have lost 2 matches back-to-back but their NRR (Net Run Rate) has taken a major jolt by -2.55. South Africa would breath a sigh of relief as their team is not star-studded & just before the start of the match Quinton De Kock had opted out due to the BLM (Black Lives Matter) Movement which is open to debate especially the history which CSA (Cricket South Africa) has.
West Indies had posted a below par target of 144 runs. South Africa were not only with the services of De Kock but also in the first over their skipper Temba Bavuma got dismissed as he was undone by the athleticism of Andre Russell. Reeza Hendricks & Rassie van der Dussen made sure that they don’t throw the game. The power-play for South Africa was a decent one as they scored 42 runs for the loss of 1 wicket. Rassie was playing the role of anchor while at the other end Reeza was punishing the bowlers as an odd boundary was also scored which was ample. Reeza & Rassie were involved in a 57 runs partnership & the dismissal of Reeza just gave a slight thin ray of hope to West Indies as the Cricketing World is evident that South Africa have fallen like a pack of cards.
The time Aiden Markram came into the crease South Africa required 78 runs in last 10 overs. Markram had another ideas as he played a blistering knock of 51 runs in just 26 balls in which he had hit 4 humongous sixes & 2 fours which is scintillating. Markram was the assassiner as he not spared even the likes of Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard & Andre Russell. At the other hand Rassie scored 43 runs in 51 balls which is & may be a little bit more deliveries according to the standards of T20 World Cricket but in this circumstances his knock was a invaluable. Markram made a statement that an opening batter can also fit in the middle order & play according to the situation.
Invited to bat first West Indies had a moderate power-play as they scored 43 runs for no wickets in which Lendl Simmons the experienced campaigner & veteran was seen struggling so much badly as he did not hit a single boundary. The onus was on Evin Lewis & he took the responsibility as he played a furious knock of 56 runs in 35 balls in which there were 6 sixes & 3 fours. Simmons continued to struggle & at the end he scored 16 runs in 35 balls which is by no means acceptable at this level given the exposure & experience he has had. At 15 overs West Indies were 95 runs for the loss of 3 wickets while Pollard & Chris Gayle were present at the strike.
West Indies pressed the 5th gear but it was a bit too late as batters were coming & seen going within a blink of eye. Pollard scored 26 runs in 20 balls while the other batters didn’t last long enough. Dwaine Pretorius the all-rounder proved to be the uninvited wicket-taker as he took 3 wickets that were of Pollard & Gayle. Keshav Maharaj the left-arm off spinner who is a tyro in International Cricket T20 is playing mind games through his TEST match bowling & while doing so he got 2 wickets of Evin Lewis & Nicholas Pooran. South Africa are hunting in a pack as they are not reliant on a single bowler as the duo of Rabada-Nortje are proving to be too hot to handle & the secret weapon of spin is mind-boggling.
Group 1 is on knife edge as of now South Africa are with 2 points from 2 matches whereas England, Australia & Sri Lanka have 2 points in 1 match. West Indies is going to face Bangladesh on 29th October at Sharjah whereas South Africa’s next match is against Sri Lanka on 30th October at Sharjah. The change of venues can bring change of fortunes for both these teams as they have sufficient time to regroup.
West Indies need to regroup & talk regarding the playing positions as well as regarding their role as chopping & changing from now onwards would be their exit from the tournament.
South Africa needs to move on if Quinton de Kock doesn’t want to play as a player is no bigger than the team & nation whether he is a prolific or star cricketer.
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