West Indies vs South Africa Live Commentary
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West Indies vs South Africa Live Commentary
WI vs SA Super 8 - Match 7 Live Commentary - Ahmedabad (26 February 2026)
Event Centre
Live
West Indies
176-8 (20.0)
*
Innings Break
South Africa need 177 runs in 120 balls at 8.85 rpo
South Africa
To Play
WI • 1st innings
176/8
All
Overs
W
6s
4s
19.1
1
Corbin Bosch to Romario Shepherd
Gets the yorker right, angling into the leg side. Romario Shepherd just about manages to squeeze it out to deep mid-wicket for a single.
19.2
1
Corbin Bosch to Jason Holder
Low full toss, angling into the pads again, Jason Holder clips it through mid-wicket for a run.
19.3
1
Corbin Bosch to Romario Shepherd
Excellent bowling! Right in the blockhole, on middle, Romario Shepherd cannot get under it and drills it down to long on for just another run.
19.4
1
Corbin Bosch to Jason Holder
Corbin Bosch sees the batter move across and bowls this full, outside off. Jason Holder tries the scoop but gets cramped up and hits it straight to short fine. They cross.
19.5
W
Corbin Bosch to Romario Shepherd
OUT! JASON HOLDER IS RUN OUT! Corbin Bosch nails another yorker, angling into the leg side. Romario Shepherd backs away and tries to dig it out but misses as the ball goes between his legs to the keeper. Holder sets off for the bye, but Shepherd is not even looking at him as he is more focused on the ball. Quinton de Kock throws the ball back to Bosch, who takes the bails off, with Holder not even in the frame.
19.6
4
Corbin Bosch to Romario Shepherd
FOUR! A streaky boundary to finish the innings! Corbin Bosch bowls this in the blockhole, on middle and leg. Romario Shepherd moves to the leg side and gets his bat down in time. It takes the inside edge and races to the fine leg fence for four runs. Shephered also brings up his Fifty on the last ball. West Indies finish on 176/8!
Till Now Score: 176/8
(20 Overs)
R Shepherd
52(37)
G Motie
0(0)
C Bosch
4-0-31-2
Over 20 ·176 Runs
1
1
1
1
W
4
18.1
0
Lungi Ngidi to Romario Shepherd
Beaten! Lungi Ngidi bowls that deceptive slower one, full and on off, dips in. Romario Shepherd swings at it but the ball goes under his bat and to the keeper.
18.2
0
Lungi Ngidi to Romario Shepherd
Two dots now! Another fine slower one, full but near the tramline this time. Romario Shepherd gets bamboozled by it once again and cannot do anything about it.
18.3
0
Lungi Ngidi to Romario Shepherd
Make that three dots! Action replay for the third ball in a row. Romario Shepherd is really struggling to pick the slower one here. He once again looks to send the ball into the orbit over mid-wicket but misses. Has a wry smile on his face.
18.4
4
Lungi Ngidi to Romario Shepherd
FOUR! Streaky but he won't mind one bit! Pitched up and on off, takes pace off again. Romario Shepherd has a hoick across the line. Gets an outside edge that flies between the keeper and short third for a boundary.
18.5
1
Lungi Ngidi to Romario Shepherd
Loopy, dipping yorker, on off. Romario hits it to long on for a single.
18.6
0
Lungi Ngidi to Jason Holder
Superb bowling! Repeats the dose of the dipping yorker, on middle. Jason Holder can only dig it back to the bowler. Just 5 runs off the over!
Till Now Score: 168/7
(19 Overs)
J Holder
47(29)
R Shepherd
46(33)
L Ngidi
4-0-30-3
Over 19 ·168 Runs
0
0
0
4
1
0
17.1
6
Marco Jansen to Jason Holder
SIX! Jason Holder joins the party now! Slower one, full and just around off. Jason Holder uses his long levers to reach out for it and dispatches it with ease over the long on fence for a biggie.
17.2
1WD
Marco Jansen to Jason Holder
WIDE! Back of a length and outside off, takes pace off again but this one just angles further away. Jason Holder has a wild swing across the line but misses. Called a wide.
17.2
0
Marco Jansen to Jason Holder
Good bowling! Gets the slower one right this time, on a good length and around off. Jason Holder once again swings for the hills but goes through the shot very early. Misses it.
17.3
4
Marco Jansen to Jason Holder
FOUR! Nice shot! Short of a length and on middle, but that will not trouble the towering figure of Holder. He gets on top of it and pulls it with disdain to the deep square leg fence for a boundary. 150 up for the Windies now.
17.4
6
Marco Jansen to Jason Holder
SIX! Oh..that is just effortless! Marco Jansen goes back to his fuller length and on off, but this one is in the slot. Jason Holder clears his front leg away and tonks it over the long off fence for half a dozen more. Jansen turns away in disgust.
17.5
2
Marco Jansen to Jason Holder
Tries the yorker, but bowls a full toss, on middle, Jason Holder clips it away between deep square and deep mid-wicket. There is a fumble and the batters take the second run.
17.6
4
Marco Jansen to Jason Holder
FOUR! Deft touch now! Hard-length delivery and around off. Jason Holder lets it come to him and uses the pace of the ball to steer it past short third for four more runs. 23 runs off the over!
Till Now Score: 163/7
(18 Overs)
J Holder
47(28)
R Shepherd
41(28)
M Jansen
4-0-50-0
Over 18 ·163 Runs
6
1WD
0
4
6
2
4
16.1
6
Kagiso Rabada to Romario Shepherd
SIX! Romario Shepherd tees off! This is on a good length and angling into the leg side. Shepherd picks it off his pads and whips it way over the deep square leg fence for half a dozen more. That also brings up the 50-RUN STAND between the batters.
16.2
1WD
Kagiso Rabada to Romario Shepherd
WIDE! Fuller but down the leg side, Romario Shepherd fails to glance it away. Wided.
16.2
2
Kagiso Rabada to Romario Shepherd
Uppish but safe! Full again and around off, slower this time. Romario Shepherd looks to loft it away but ends up slicing it in the air over cover. Aiden Markram runs backwards but fails to reach the ball. Two taken.
16.3
0
Kagiso Rabada to Romario Shepherd
Pitched up and on the pads, Romario Shepherd clips it away but straight to short fine. A bit to either side, and it would have been a boundary.
16.4
1
Kagiso Rabada to Romario Shepherd
Fullish delivery and around leg, Romario Shepherd tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.
16.5
1
Kagiso Rabada to Jason Holder
On a shortish length, on middle. Holder dabs it on the leg side and crosses over.
16.6
0
Kagiso Rabada to Romario Shepherd
Shout for LBW, but turned down! Aiden Markram takes the review here. Kagiso Rabada bowls a good yorker, on middle, just dips under the bat. Romario Shepherd fails to get it away and the ball hits his front pad. However, UltraEdge shows a clear spike when the ball is near the toe-end of the bat. The on-field call of Not Out remains. 4-0-22-2, Rabada is done with his exceptional spell.
Till Now Score: 140/7
(17 Overs)
R Shepherd
41(28)
J Holder
25(22)
K Rabada
4-0-22-2
Over 17 ·140 Runs
6
1WD
2
0
1
1
0
15.1
0
Corbin Bosch to Romario Shepherd
Drops short! Back of a length and around off, takes pace off. Romario Shepherd swings decades early, but the ball arrives late. It takes the underedge and goes on the bounce to the keeper.
15.2
6
Corbin Bosch to Romario Shepherd
SIX! Stand and deliver! Corbin Bosch bangs this into the pitch, on middle, but not short enough to trouble the batter. Romario Shepherd climbs onto it and whacks it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.
15.3
0
Corbin Bosch to Romario Shepherd
Nails the wide yorker, outside off, just inside the tramline. Romario Shepherd tries to reach out for it but fails to connect.
15.4
0
Corbin Bosch to Romario Shepherd
Nicely bowled! A loopy, slower delivery, full and on off, dips in late. Romario Shepherd looks to slog it away but once again goes through his shot early and misses.
15.5
4
Corbin Bosch to Romario Shepherd
FOUR! Excellent shot! Much fuller and just outside off, pace on this time. Romario Shepherd manages to get under it and smacks in the gap to the right of sweeper cover for a boundary.
15.6
1
Corbin Bosch to Romario Shepherd
Pitched up and on middle, Romario Shepherd drills it down to long on for one more. 11 runs off the over!
Till Now Score: 129/7
(16 Overs)
R Shepherd
32(23)
J Holder
24(21)
C Bosch
3-0-23-2
Over 16 ·129 Runs
0
6
0
0
4
1
14.1
0
Keshav Maharaj to Romario Shepherd
Arm ball, full and angling into leg. Romario Shepherd stays back to clip it away but misses and gets hit on the pads.
14.2
6
Keshav Maharaj to Romario Shepherd
SIX! Makes it look easy! Tossed up, full and well outside off. Romario Shepherd extends his arms to reach out for it and powers it over the deep extra cover fence for a biggie.
14.3
1
Keshav Maharaj to Romario Shepherd
Drops it short and on middle, Romario Shepherd punches it to long on for a single.
14.4
1
Keshav Maharaj to Jason Holder
Floated, full and on middle, Jason Holder uses his feet and lofts it down to long on for a run.
14.5
0
Keshav Maharaj to Romario Shepherd
Pushed through quicker, shortish and on middle, Romario Shepherd stays back and pats it to the bowler.
14.6
1
Keshav Maharaj to Romario Shepherd
Another short delivery, on middle and leg, Romario Shepherd nudges it off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for one. A tough outing for Maharaj with the ball, as he ends up conceding 43 runs in his 4 overs.
Till Now Score: 118/7
(15 Overs)
R Shepherd
21(17)
J Holder
24(21)
K Maharaj
4-0-43-0
Over 15 ·118 Runs
0
6
1
1
0
1
13.1
1
Lungi Ngidi to Jason Holder
On a back of a length, on off and middle. This is pulled through square leg for a single.
13.2
6
Lungi Ngidi to Romario Shepherd
SIX! What a shot that is from Romario Shepherd! Full-length delivery, on the fourth stump, slower too. Romario Shepherd loads his arms and hoists it over the long off fence for a massive six. That brings up the 100 for West Indies.
13.3
0
Lungi Ngidi to Romario Shepherd
Now that one stays low! On a hard length, outside off. Romario Shepherd looks to cut at it but the ball skids through after pitching and gets past the under edge.
13.4
1
Lungi Ngidi to Romario Shepherd
Short, on off, Romario Shepherd pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.
13.5
4
Lungi Ngidi to Jason Holder
FOUR! That is pure placement from Holder! Lungi Ngidi bowls it on a back of a length, on the fifth stump. Jason Holder waits for the delivery to arrive and just guides it through backward point for four runs.
13.6
0
Lungi Ngidi to Jason Holder
JUST SHORT! Lungi Ngidi bowls a deceptive slower one, full and around off, dips in late. Jason Holder just gets his bat out to push it away but ends up lobbing it towards extra cover, where Keshav Maharaj is a bit late to react. He moves to his front but grabs it on the bounce. Ngidi is not happy at all.
Till Now Score: 109/7
(14 Overs)
J Holder
23(20)
R Shepherd
13(12)
L Ngidi
3-0-25-3
Over 14 ·109 Runs
1
6
0
1
4
0
12.1
0
Keshav Maharaj to Jason Holder
Maharaj starts with a short delivery, on off, Jason Holder hangs back and punches it back to the bowler.
12.2
1
Keshav Maharaj to Jason Holder
A touch short, angling in, on leg. Jason Holder miscues his slog to deep mid-wicket and gets a single.
12.3
1
Keshav Maharaj to Romario Shepherd
Fuller, on middle, Romario Shepherd pushes it to long on for a single.
12.4
0
Keshav Maharaj to Jason Holder
Fuller, angling down the leg side. Jason Holder opens his stance and attempts another slog, but gets an inside edge onto the pads and the ball rolls behind.
12.5
4
Keshav Maharaj to Jason Holder
FOUR! Just out of reach! Flat and shorter, just outside off. Jason Holder opens the face of the bat before cutting it. The ball flies flat and left of the backward point fielder. He dives and extends his left hand, but the ball evades him and races away to the fence for four runs.
12.6
1
Keshav Maharaj to Jason Holder
Short, on middle, Jason Holder pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Till Now Score: 97/7
(13 Overs)
J Holder
18(17)
R Shepherd
6(9)
K Maharaj
3-0-34-0
Over 13 ·97 Runs
0
1
1
0
4
1
11.1
0
Kagiso Rabada to Romario Shepherd
Full-length delivery, on off, Romario Shepherd leans and drives it crisply, but straight to the fielder in the short cover region.
11.2
0
Kagiso Rabada to Romario Shepherd
Back of a length, pitching it outside off and nips in. Romario Shepherd attempts to pull it, but it goes past the under edge.
11.3
1
Kagiso Rabada to Romario Shepherd
Pitches it up, does Rabada, outside off. Romario Shepherd punches it to sweeper cover to rotate the strike.
11.4
1
Kagiso Rabada to Jason Holder
Slower yorker, on off. Jason Holder is alert as he eases it to long on and gets the single.
11.5
1
Kagiso Rabada to Romario Shepherd
Kagiso Rabada once again aims for the yorker, but this time the ball slips out of his hand. He spills out a full toss, outside the off pole, just below the waist of the batter. Romario Shepherd pushes it to cover and gets a single.
11.6
1
Kagiso Rabada to Jason Holder
Angling in, on middle, Jason Holder drives it to long on. Single taken.
Till Now Score: 90/7
(12 Overs)
J Holder
12(12)
R Shepherd
5(8)
K Rabada
3-0-11-2
Over 12 ·90 Runs
0
0
1
1
1
1
10.1
1
Corbin Bosch to Jason Holder
On a hard length, angling in, on off. Jason Holder dabs it late to the deep third region and gets a comfortable single.
10.2
W
Corbin Bosch to Matthew Forde
OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! A tame dismissal. Corbin Bosch has his arms aloft. Cross-seam ball, angled in, on a good length, on off and middle. Forde looks to whip it away but that is a high-risk shot on this strip given the steep bounce. He swings half-heartedly and just checks his shot. The ball catches the upper half of the bat and goes down to deep backward square leg, where Ryan Rickelton runs in off the ropes and dives to complete the catch.
10.3
0
Corbin Bosch to Romario Shepherd
Full-length delivery, on middle, Romario Shepherd tucks it to mid-wicket.
10.4
0
Corbin Bosch to Romario Shepherd
Ouch, Romario Shepherd takes a blow! Bouncer from Corbin Bosch, on off and middle. Romario Shepherd ducks as he detects the bouncer, but the ball doesn't bounce as much as he expected. It deflects off the right shoulder of the batter onto the grill of the helmet.
10.5
2
Corbin Bosch to Romario Shepherd
On a length, around the pads of the batter. Romario Shepherd tucks it to the right of the deep square leg fielder and gets a brace.
10.6
1
Corbin Bosch to Romario Shepherd
Back of a length, on off, Romario Shepherd hangs back and pushes it to deep cover to get an easy single.
Till Now Score: 86/7
(11 Overs)
R Shepherd
3(4)
J Holder
10(10)
C Bosch
2-0-12-2
Over 11 ·86 Runs
1
W
0
0
2
1
9.1
0
Marco Jansen to Matthew Forde
Back of a length, angling across the right-hander. Matthew Forde camps back to punch it away, but the ball leaves him on the angle.
9.2
4
Marco Jansen to Matthew Forde
FOUR! Hammered away! Short of a length from Jansen, on off, angling it a bit away from the batter. Matthew Forde stays on his back foot and pulls it hard to the deep mid-wicket region for four runs.
9.3
0
Marco Jansen to Matthew Forde
Back of a length, on off, Matthew Forde hops a bit to defend, but the ball gets big on the batter and beats the outside edge.
9.4
6
Marco Jansen to Matthew Forde
SIX! Clean strike! On the shorter side, around off. This sits up to be hit, around the waist. Forde pivots and nails the pull over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. Forde has a go at the bowler and he looks up for the fight.
9.5
0
Marco Jansen to Matthew Forde
Slower and fuller, on off, Forde leans on the delivery and defends it to cover.
9.6
0
Marco Jansen to Matthew Forde
Jansen fires a bouncer, on leg and middle. Matthew Forde ducks underneath the delivery to let it travel to the keeper.
Till Now Score: 82/6
(10 Overs)
M Forde
11(8)
J Holder
9(9)
M Jansen
3-0-27-0
Over 10 ·82 Runs
0
4
0
6
0
0
8.1
1
Lungi Ngidi to Jason Holder
Back of a length, just outside off, Jason Holder takes a step across the stumps and rolls his wrists to flick it through square leg. Single taken.
8.2
W
Lungi Ngidi to Rovman Powell
OUT! CAUGHT! Lungi Ngidi strikes on his return to the attack. South Africa continue to chip away at the wickets. Ngidi lands it on a short of a length, outside off. Cross-seam delivery that nips back a bit into the right-hander. Powell stands tall to thrash it through the off side. He picks the bones out of it but fails to find the gap. Rovman picks out Dewald Brevis at cover, who bends and takes a sharp grab around his right shoulder in reverse cup style. Third wicket for Ngidi.
8.3
0
Lungi Ngidi to Matthew Forde
Lungi Ngidi bends his back and offers a bouncer, wide outside off. Matthew Forde stands tall and tries to slap it away, but gets beaten on the outside edge.
8.4
1
Lungi Ngidi to Matthew Forde
Fuller, on the fifth stump, Matthew Forde lunges and drives it through cover to take a single.
8.5
0
Lungi Ngidi to Jason Holder
Beaten! A wobble seam ball now from Ngidi, outside off. Jason Holder goes deep into the crease to cut it away, but the ball nips back and stays low to go under the inside edge of the willow.
8.6
0
Lungi Ngidi to Jason Holder
Short, outside off, Jason Holder connects his cut shot, but finds the fielder in the backward point region.
Till Now Score: 72/6
(9 Overs)
J Holder
9(9)
M Forde
1(2)
L Ngidi
2-0-13-3
Over 9 ·72 Runs
1
W
0
1
0
0
7.1
0
Keshav Maharaj to Rovman Powell
Short, on off, Rovman Powell hangs on his back foot and dabs it to cover.
7.2
1
Keshav Maharaj to Rovman Powell
Flat and fuller, on middle, Rovman Powell lunges and works it with soft hands to the vacant mid-wicket region to get a single.
7.3
1
Keshav Maharaj to Jason Holder
Fullish, on middle and leg, Jason Holder tucks it through mid-wicket for one run.
7.4
1
Keshav Maharaj to Rovman Powell
Pitches it up, does Maharaj, on middle. Rovman Powell eases it to long on for another single.
7.5
6
Keshav Maharaj to Jason Holder
SIX! Up, up and over! Tossed up, fuller, with some flight on offer, on off. Jason Holder clears his front foot and lofts it over the long off fence for half a dozen.
7.6
1
Keshav Maharaj to Jason Holder
Short, on off, Jason Holder nudges it to deep square leg for a single.
Till Now Score: 70/5
(8 Overs)
J Holder
8(6)
R Powell
9(10)
K Maharaj
2-0-27-0
Over 8 ·70 Runs
0
1
1
1
6
1
6.1
2
Corbin Bosch to Sherfane Rutherford
Good-length delivery, angling across the stumps. Sherfane Rutherford punches it toward the right of the sweeper cover fielder for a couple of runs.
6.2
6
Corbin Bosch to Sherfane Rutherford
SIX! BANG! This one is fuller, on off, Sherfane Rutherford swings his arms and heaves it across the line, over the deep square leg fence, which is also the shorter side, to get six more runs.
6.3
W
Corbin Bosch to Sherfane Rutherford
OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Corbin Bosch fights back. Sherfane Rutherford tries to repeat the dose, but it does not come off for him this time. Bosch hits the hard length and keeps the line around the off pole. Sherfane swivels to unleash the pull but is cramped for room and he cannot swing his arms in the desired fashion. Moreover, he is rushed, and the ball is skied off the upper half of the blade. The keeper, Quinton de Kock, settles under it and does the rest.
6.4
0
Corbin Bosch to Jason Holder
Pitches it hard, on a length, does Bosch, on off. Jason Holder gets behind the line and defends it down the track.
6.5
0
Corbin Bosch to Jason Holder
Good-length delivery, angling in, on off. Jason Holder defends it to the cover region.
6.6
0
Corbin Bosch to Jason Holder
Wide outside off this time, a touch fuller. Jason Holder attempts to steer it to third man but misses the connection.
Till Now Score: 60/5
(7 Overs)
J Holder
0(3)
R Powell
7(7)
C Bosch
1-0-8-1
Over 7 ·60 Runs
2
6
W
0
0
0
5.1
0
Marco Jansen to Sherfane Rutherford
Serves it on a good length, on off and middle. Sherfane dabs it down on the off side.
5.2
0
Marco Jansen to Sherfane Rutherford
Jansen goes slightly wide on the crease, in and around the off pole. Sherfane rises with the bounce and taps it to backward point.
5.3
1
Marco Jansen to Sherfane Rutherford
PUT DOWN! That should have been taken. Hands on head for Lungi Ngidi. Jansen bowls it on a hard length, over off. Rutherford hops and arches back a touch to use the pace on the ball. He opens the bat face and glides it uppishly to short third, where Ngidi leaps and gets both hands over his head, but he cannot jump high enough. The ball clips his fingertips and goes behind. Ngidi turns around, but the ball drops to the ground by then and away from his reach. They cross.
5.4
0
Marco Jansen to Rovman Powell
Fuller and on off, Rovman pushes it to cover.
5.5
0
Marco Jansen to Rovman Powell
Into the surface, over middle. Powell stands tall and keeps it out.
5.6
4
Marco Jansen to Rovman Powell
FOUR! Put away! Overpitched delivery around off. Rovman Powell leans onto his drive and creams it between extra cover and mid off for a boundary. West Indies end the Powerplay on 52/4.
Till Now Score: 52/4
(6 Overs)
R Powell
7(7)
S Rutherford
4(7)
M Jansen
2-0-17-0
Over 6 ·52 Runs
0
0
1
0
0
4
4.1
1
Kagiso Rabada to Rovman Powell
Rabada bowls it full, around off, Rovman presses forward and steers it to deep third for a single.
4.2
0
Kagiso Rabada to Sherfane Rutherford
Good-length ball, on middle. Sherfane Rutherford blocks it out watchfully.
4.3
2
Kagiso Rabada to Sherfane Rutherford
Across off, on a short of a length, Sherfane stays back and plays it behind point for a couple of runs.
4.4
0
Kagiso Rabada to Sherfane Rutherford
From around the wicket, on top of off, Rutherford gets on top of the bounce and keeps it out.
4.5
1
Kagiso Rabada to Sherfane Rutherford
On top of off, on a good length, Sherfane punches it to the right of backward point and crosses over.
4.6
0
Kagiso Rabada to Rovman Powell
This is on the fuller side, on off and middle. Powell brings his bat out in front and defends it solidly.
Till Now Score: 47/4
(5 Overs)
R Powell
3(4)
S Rutherford
3(4)
K Rabada
2-0-7-2
Over 5 ·47 Runs
1
0
2
0
1
0
3.1
1
Lungi Ngidi to Rovman Powell
Outside off, on a good length, Powell glides it with an open bat face to deep third and gets to the other end.
3.2
4
Lungi Ngidi to Brandon King
FOUR! A quality shot! On a good length, fractionally wide, King extends his hands and plays it on the up. Threads it in the gap between cover and point for a four.
3.3
4
Lungi Ngidi to Brandon King
FOUR! More of a horizontal bat this time but the result is the same. Ngidi offers width again, on a short of a length. King stands tall and punches it through covers for a four.
3.4
W
Lungi Ngidi to Brandon King
OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Lungi Ngidi corrects his line and strikes. Ngidi goes wide on the crease and brings the line closer to the off stump. On a short of a length, just outside the off pole. King hangs back to deal with it, but the ball lands and nips away enough to take the outside edge. The keeper, Quinton de Kock gobbles it up. Ngidi turns around and points at his captain at mid off, as if saying - I told you.
3.5
2
Lungi Ngidi to Roston Chase
Angled into the right-hander, on a good length, Chase turns it off the pads through square leg for a couple of runs.
3.6
W
Lungi Ngidi to Roston Chase
OUT! DRAGGED ON! Lungi Ngidi says to Kagiso Rabada, if you can strike twice in an over, I can do just as well. Ngidi bashes the surface and bowls it on a hard length, on off. Chase stands tall on his toes and gets his hands high to punch it away. He plays it with an angled bat. The ball cuts back in off the deck to take the inside edge before deflecting back onto the stumps. Quite an eventful start to the game. Wickets, fours, sixes, dropped catches, we have had everything in the first 4 overs. West Indies are 4 down for 43.
Till Now Score: 43/4
(4 Overs)
R Chase
2(2)
R Powell
2(2)
L Ngidi
1-0-11-2
Over 4 ·43 Runs
1
4
4
W
2
W
2.1
0
Kagiso Rabada to Shai Hope
Beats the bat! In the channel, on a good length, Shai pushes away from his body and is beaten on the outside edge.
2.2
W
Kagiso Rabada to Shai Hope
OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! The edge is found this time. Kagiso Rabada strikes with his second ball. Wobble seam delivery, on a back of a length, outside off. Hope gets on his toes to ride the bounce and punch it away on the off side. The ball nips away with a bit of extra bounce. It grazes the outside edge and the keeper, Quinton de Kock, makes no mistake. Rabada is lucky that the ball did not go to slip as the man there had just been moved out before this ball.
2.3
2
Kagiso Rabada to Shimron Hetmyer
DROPPED! Shimron Hetmyer gets a lifeline on the very first ball. Hettie had given up. This is pitched up by Rabada, on middle. Shimron gets his hands through the line and goes for the lofted drive. He just checks his shot and it goes to mid on, where Corbin Bosch is late to react. He thinks he can grab it over his head without having to move. The ball keeps rising and Bosch has to leap to take the catch. The ball clips his fingertips and goes behind for a couple of runs.
2.4
0
Kagiso Rabada to Shimron Hetmyer
On middle and leg, on a length, Hetmyer defends it out.
2.5
W
Kagiso Rabada to Shimron Hetmyer
OUT! CAUGHT! Taken this time and the dropped catch does not cost South Africa much. Corbin Bosch will be a relieved man. Two wickets in the over for Rabada. Angling across off, on a back of a length. Hetmyer has a jab at it off the back foot. He fails to get the timing right and it is mistimed uppishly to mid-wicket. Keshav Maharaj, standing on the edge of the ring, moves to his right and takes the catch at head height.
2.6
1
Kagiso Rabada to Rovman Powell
On top of off, Rovman watchfully angles it in front of point and takes a single to open his account.
Till Now Score: 32/2
(3 Overs)
R Powell
1(1)
B King
13(8)
K Rabada
1-0-3-2
Over 3 ·32 Runs
0
W
2
0
W
1
1.1
0
Marco Jansen to Brandon King
On leg, on a length, King dabs it down on the leg side.
1.2
4
Marco Jansen to Brandon King
FOUR! Easily done! A bit of shape back into the right-hander, on the fuller side, Brandon brings his wrists into play and flicks it between mid-wicket and mid on for a four.
1.3
0
Marco Jansen to Brandon King
Good comeback! Pushed across off, full in length. King pushes out in front of his body and is beaten as the ball leaves him with the angle.
1.4
4
Marco Jansen to Brandon King
FOUR! A loose delivery and King cashes in! Too straight, at the hips, on a back of a length. Brandon hangs on the back foot and nurdles it fine of the man at deep square leg for four more.
1.5
4
Marco Jansen to Brandon King
FOUR MORE! Streaky this time! Jansen digs it in short, over off and middle. Brandon swivels on the back foot for the pull but fails to get on top of the bounce. The ball climbs on the batter to catch a top edge and it flies over the keeper's head for another four.
1.6
0
Marco Jansen to Brandon King
On a good length, on middle, King taps it back on the strip. 12 runs off Jansen's first over.
Till Now Score: 29/0
(2 Overs)
B King
13(8)
S Hope
16(4)
M Jansen
1-0-12-0
Over 2 ·29 Runs
0
4
0
4
4
0
0.1
0
Keshav Maharaj to Brandon King
Begins from around the wicket, fractionally short, around the off stump. King punches it from the crease to cover.
0.2
1
Keshav Maharaj to Brandon King
Angled in at the hips, shorter now, Brandon nudges it to mid-wicket and takes a single to get off the mark.
0.3
6
Keshav Maharaj to Shai Hope
SIX! Shai Hope is up and running! Darted in at 86.6 kph, a bit too short, on middle. Hope picks up the length early, goes deep in the crease and pummels it over mid on for a biggie.
0.4
4
Keshav Maharaj to Shai Hope
FOUR! Lovely! This is floated up, fuller and on the off stump, Hope makes room and opens up the front hip. He extends his hands and carves it over cover for a boundary.
0.5
0
Keshav Maharaj to Shai Hope
Flatter and shorter, on off, Shai slaps it to cover-point.
0.6
6
Keshav Maharaj to Shai Hope
SIX! Taken by Dewald Brevis, but he runs with the ball into the boundary cushions. 17 runs off the first over. A great start for West Indies. Maharaj drops it short, on middle. Hope presses on the back foot, clears the front leg and plays the pull. Hits it aerially to deep mid-wicket, where Brevis runs to his left and takes the catch in reverse cup style over his head. He cannot slam the brakes and cannot release the ball before going over the ropes. Keshav Maharaj is not happy one bit.
Till Now Score: 17/0
(1 Overs)
S Hope
16(4)
B King
1(2)
K Maharaj
1-0-17-0
Over 1 ·17 Runs
0
1
6
4
0
6
Done with the pre-match formalities! The Proteas spread out under the hot sun and take up the fielding positions. Brandon King and Shai Hope are the two openers for West Indies. We will see spin straightaway as Keshav Maharaj has the new ball in hand. Let's play...
0
The plan to go with Keshav Maharaj almost worked out for South Africa. It will be Marco Jansen to bowl from the other end.
0
Pace from both ends now as Kagiso Rabada replaces Keshav Maharaj.
0
Proteas strike back here. Shimron Hetmyer walks out to bat at number 3.
0
The next batter is...Rovman Powell.
0
So, a double strike from Kagiso Rabada in the last over and South Africa will be feeling a lot more relieved. Here is Lungi Ngidi to bowl now.
0
It is all happening here in Ahmedabad. Dropped catches, boundaries, but West Indies are also three down inside the Powerplay now. Roston Chase comes out to the middle. Two slips in place as well.
0
Number 4 goes down for the Windies. Sherfane Rutherford joins Rovman Powell out in the middle. This will be the key partnership for them if they want to get to a good score.
0
DRINKS! You won't see such a chaotic, yet entertaining start to a match. We have had everything so far. The first 2 overs went for 29 runs, but then South Africa struck back, taking 4/14 despite dropping a couple of catches. West Indies are in a tough spot here, and this pair of Sherfane Rutherford and Rovman Powell need to take this game deep, as they still have a lot of firepower left in the tank. South Africa will want to just keep the pressure on the batters and not give away anything loose, keep picking up wickets, and they will have a real chance of getting the Windies bowled out cheaply. Also, Corbin Bosch is to bowl after the break.
0
West Indies have lost half their side for 60. Jason Holder is the next batter in.
0
Will we see some spin now? Yes, we will. Keshav Maharaj comes back into the attack. He went for 17 runs in his first over.
0
It's all going south for the Windies here. Matthew Forde walks out to bat now.
0
Marco Jansen (2-0-17-0) is back on.
0
West Indies are 82/6 at the halfway stage. They have scored at a decent rate but have lost a few too many wickets here. However, they are still going after the bowlers and will not die wondering.
0
Another one bites the dust. Romario Shepherd comes out to the middle now. A long chat between him and Holder about how to go about things from here.
0
Halt! The umpires have asked the physio to come on for the concussion check. The test is complete, and Romario Shepherd is ready to resume.
0
DRINKS BREAK! West Indies would have been in more trouble had there been a better effort from Keshav Maharaj. A lot rests on this pair of Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd to help them recover and finish strongly. South Africa will know that if they break this stand, they can open one end up with Gudakesh Motie and Shamar Joseph to follow, though Motie can wield his willow. Keshav Maharaj to continue after the break.
0
Whom does Aiden Markram turn to now? He calls back Kagiso Rabada. 3-0-11-2 so far for the speedster.
0
LBW review! Not given by umpire Kumar Dharmasena, but Kagiso Rabada looks interested. Aiden Markram has taken the review. A spike when the ball is near the toe end of the blade. The on-field call of NOT OUT stands!
0
West Indies are motoring along. Lungi Ngidi (3-0-25-3) to bowl the 19th over.
0
Another excellent day at the office for Lungi Ngidi. Corbin Bosch to close out the innings for South Africa. 3-0-23-2 so far for Bosch.
0
Gudakesh Motie comes out to the middle. It will be Romario Shepherd on strike for the final ball.
0
After being asked to bat first, West Indies did not give themselves the best chance to score on this surface. Having played their previous games in Mumbai and Kolkata before arriving in Ahmedabad, they found the steep bounce tough to tackle and it played a significant role in several of the dismissals. Yet the Windies refused to rein in their attacking instincts. No one took the responsibility to play themselves in and stabilise the innings until Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder combined to engineer a recovery for their side.
0