Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks' brutal onslaught overpowered Johnson Charles's carnage-filled innings as South Africa pulled off the highest run chase in the history of T20I cricket. Hosts South Africa chased down the 259-run target with seven balls to spare and six wickets in hand at SuperSport Park, Centurion to rewrite record books. The previous record belonged to Australia who chased down 244 against New Zealand in 2018.
Fireworks in powerplay overs
The run chase got off to a blazing start. De Kock punished West Indies bowlers in the powerplay overs. He started off with Sheldon Cottrell by hitting him for three consecutive sixes and two fours. South Africa crossed the 50-run mark in just 16 balls. Hendricks matched the tempo as well by taking on Jason Holder. De Kock reached his half-century in the fifth over from just 15 balls. This is the fastest T20I fifty for a South Africa batter. After powerplay overs, South Africa had 102 runs on the board. This is the highest powerplay score in T20I history.
De Kock's century
The onslaught continued after powerplay overs as De Kock raced towards his hundred. He reached his maiden T20I century from just 43 balls. This is the second-fastest T20I century for South Africa. Raymon Reifer got the breakthrough. De Kock scored 100 runs from 44 balls including nine fours and eight sixes.
Easy run chase
In the 12th over, Hendricks got to his half-century with a six from just 22 balls. Rilee Rossouw went for the kill too and hit Odean Smith for two sixes. He got out after scoring 16 runs from four balls. In the next over, Hendricks decided to take on Rovman Powell. But Powell managed to get Hendricks' wicket with a slower bouncer. The opener scored 68 runs from 28 balls including 11 fours and two sixes. David Miller struggled to hit boundaries and lost his wicket to Holder for a run-a-ball 10. In the 17th over, Aiden Markram targetted Reifer who conceded 18 runs. Heinrich Klaasen attacked from the start as well. In the penultimate over, South Africa reached home with seven balls to spare.
Decent start
Earlier, Markram won the toss and opted to field first. Wayne Parnell struck in his first over. Brandon King edged one to first slip fielder Hendricks. King scored just one run. Charles attacked right from the start. Parnell leaked 17 runs from his second over. Marco Jansen in his first over was expensive as well. Charles hit him for a couple of fours and sixes each. At the end of powerplay overs, West Indies had 62 runs on the board.
Big partnership
Kyle Mayers went berserk after powerplay overs. Mayers hit Sisanda Magala for a couple of fours and sixes each. Charles reached his half-century from 23 balls in the eighth over with a six off Tabraiz Shamsi. The onslaught continued and Mayers reached his half-century with a six off Shamsi's next over. At halfway stage, West Indies were 137/1.
Jansen came back into the attack and got rid of Mayers. He miscued a pull shot to deep mid-wicket fielder Hendricks. He scored 51 runs from 27 deliveries including five fours and six fours. He shared a 135-run partnership with Charles, West Indies' second-highest for second wicket. In the same over, Jansen got rid of Nicholas Pooran for a single-digit score.
Charles hits ton
The two wickets did not have much impact on the scoring rate. He got to his century with a six from just 39 deliveries. It is the fastest T20I century for West Indies. In the 14th over, Jansen got the wicket of Charles. He scored 118 runs from 46 deliveries, the second-highest T20I score by a West Indies batter. His 118-run knock was studded with 10 fours and 11 sixes.
Electrifying finish
Skipper Powell and Romario Shepherd came out to bat all guns blazing. West Indies crossed the 200-run mark in the 16th over. Powell contributed with a 19-ball 28 cameo. Parnell got his wicket in the penultimate over. In the final over, Magala was hit for a six each by Shepherd and Odean Smith. West Indies posted 258/5, their highest total in the format. Shepherd remained unbeaten for 41 off 18 deliveries including one four and four sixes.
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