Twitter Reactions: Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo guide West Indies to series equaliser

West Indies have managed to draw the equaliser in their five-match T20I series against South Africa. Following the losses in the second and third matches, the Caribbean unit won the fourth game by 21 runs at the National Cricket Stadium, St George’s, Grenada. As far as the Proteas are concerned, none of the batters, barring Quinton de Kock, could make a significant impact in the encounter.

Pollard steps on the gas

After being put in to bat first, West Indies lost Evin Lewis, Chris Gayle, and Shimron Hetmyer, who all couldn’t get into double digits, in quick succession. However, Lendl Simmons made sure that the hosts rack up 57 runs in the powerplay.

The opener went on to score 47 runs off 34 balls with the help of four fours and as many sixes. It was left-arm spinner George Linde, who got him out LBW. The home team was in trouble after being reduced to 101 for six in 15.3 overs.

However, skipper Kieron Pollard stepped up and made sure that his team got up to 167 for six. The captain scored an unbeaten 25-ball 51 with two fours and as many as five sixes. For the visitors, both the spinners, Linde and Tabraiz Shamsi, were excellent as they had combined figures of 8-0-29-4 at a rate of 3.62.

De Kock’s efforts in vain

South Africa didn’t make a great start to their run-chase as Gayle got Reeza Hendricks stumped in the second over. Skipper Temba Bavuma also fell cheaply. Aiden Markram didn’t have a good day either as he made a run-a-ball 20 apart from conceding 20 runs in the only over he bowled.

Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller couldn’t survive the heat either as they perished in quick succession. In the meantime, De Kock notched back-to-back fifties off 37 balls. He stayed in the middle until the 18th over and got out with his team needing 42 runs off 17 deliveries.

The southpaw scored a 43-ball 60 with six fours and two sixes. Kagiso Rabada got an unbeaten 12-ball 16, but the visitors got up to only 146. Dwayne Bravo was the standout performer as he picked up four wickets for only 19 runs.

Here’s how the netizens reacted to West Indies’ win:

Go on, Chris 🤸‍♂️😎

We're all here for a Chris Gayle cartwheel! #WIvSA pic.twitter.com/DuC60q0VPU

— Cricket on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) July 1, 2021

41-year-old Chris Gayle strikes in the first ball of his spell followed by a Universe boss celebration. The biggest entertainer in world cricket. #WIvSA pic.twitter.com/TneToLFSPr

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 1, 2021

Fidel Edwards & Chris Gayle opening the bowling for West Indies in a T20I in 2021.

The duo first appeared together for West Indies in June 2003 – a fortnight after the first-ever T20 match was played in England.

Here they are, 18 years later!!!#WIvSA

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) July 1, 2021

DJ Bravo in this T20I Series against South Africa so far:-

•4-0-30-2
•3-0-29-0
•4-0-25-3
•4-0-19-4

His comeback series and he picked 9 wickets in just 4 matches with 6.87 Economy Rate. Just Outstanding Performance by DJ Bravo. #WIvSA pic.twitter.com/vliDSoJepe

— CricketMAN2 (@man4_cricket) July 2, 2021

West Indies win the fourth T20 against South Africa, bringing the series level at 2-2. 

Dwayne Bravo the pick of the bowlers returning career-best T20I figures of 4/19 👏  #WIvSA | https://t.co/wTIFZJ0Tbn pic.twitter.com/7C9Kps1tSD

— ICC (@ICC) July 1, 2021

Tabraiz Shamsi in this T20I Series against West Indies so far:-

•4-0-27-1
•4-0-16-1
•4-0-13-2
•4-0-13-2

He's been Outstanding with the ball against West Indies likes Batsman's, that's why he is the No.1 T20 bowler in the World. Brilliant Once Again. #WIvSA pic.twitter.com/E9NbDLgylN

— CricketMAN2 (@man4_cricket) July 2, 2021

50 for Pollard. This man never disappoints in the first inning. Reason I bought him back in my Dream 11 today and made him the captain.

Pollard average in T20Is since 2018:

1st inning – 68.8
2nd inning – 19.3#WIvSA

— Kaushik (@_CricKaushik_) July 1, 2021