Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph finished off South Africa with three wickets in the 19th over as West Indies won the third T20I by seven runs and take the series 2-1.
West Indies won the third T20I by seven runs and took the series 2-1 thanks to fast bowler Alzarri Joseph’s three wickets in the 19th over. (Read More Cricket News)
After his late burst, Joseph collected 5-40, ensuring South Africa fell short of West Indies’ challenging total of 220-8.
South Africa threatened briefly, owing primarily to Reeza Hendricks’ 83 off 44 balls, but eventually finished with a total of 213-6 in 20 overs.
Hendricks was caught at long on looking for his third six off the first ball of the 19th over, giving Joseph the crucial breakthrough.
Hendricks had previously been dropped on the boundary twice, but West Indies captain Rovman Powell held on this time.
South Africa needed 35 runs off the final two overs and was already behind, but Joseph had Heinrich Klaasen caught two balls after Hendricks’ departure and then sent a delivery smashing into Wayne Parnell’s stumps two balls later to set up the victory.
South Africa captain Aiden Markram (35 not out off 18 balls) hit three fours with his team needing 26 off the last over, and the home team took 18 off the last six deliveries but still fell short.
West Indies’ strong total was largely due to an unbroken ninth-wicket stand of 59 off 26 balls between Joseph and Romario Shepherd.
When those two met, the tourists were 161-8 and fading, but Shepherd smashed 44 off 22 balls with two fours and three sixes.
With his 14 not out, Joseph played a supporting role, and their half-century stand right at the end of the West Indies innings changed the complexion of the game and gave South Africa too much to do.
West Indies bounced back after losing to South Africa’s record-breaking run chase in the second T20.