Twitter Reactions: Markram, De Kock and bowlers lead South Africa to series win in West Indies T20Is

With the series level at 2-2, both South Africa and West Indies had their task cut out in the fifth and final T20I on Saturday at the National Cricket Stadium, St George’s, Grenada. However, after 40 overs, it was the Proteas, who held their nerves and won the series 3-2 after a 25-run victory. After the first match of the series, the teams batting second found themselves in trouble every other time.

De Kock and Markram lay the platform

After electing to bat first, South Africa couldn’t have expected a worse start as Temba Bavuma perished for a duck to Fidel Edwards. However, Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram’s 128-run stand off 13.4 overs set the tone for the visitors.

De Kock carried on with his stupendous form and notched his third fifty in succession. He ended with a 42-ball 60 with four fours and two sixes to his name. Markram, on the other hand, top-scored for the visiting team with a 48-ball 70, laced with three fours and four sixes.

Even as Edwards got rid of Bavuma, Obed McCoy accounted for Markram’s wicket. In the death overs, the Proteas strained a bit as in the last 5.5 overs, they managed only 40 runs. David Miller faced 16 balls but scored 18 runs. Edwards was the standout bowler for the hosts.

The Caribbean stutter

The hosts started steadily, scoring 49 runs in the powerplay and losing Lendl Simmons to George Linde. Chris Gayle smashed a six before he perished to Tabraiz Shamsi. At the other end, Evin Lewis looked in ominous touch and threatened to take the match away from the Proteas.

He scored 52 off 34 balls with five fours and three sixes. But once he got out, the West Indies’ innings went into a slump. Shimron Hetmyer tried to resurrect the innings with a 31-ball 33, but his efforts went in vain. Kieron Pollard and Nicholas Pooran got into double digits.

However, they couldn’t carry on. Lungi Ngidi had a tough time earlier in the series, but his three-wicket haul turned out to be crucial in the context of the game. Tabraiz Shamsi was a tough nut to crack as the spinner ended with figures of 4-0-11-1.

Here’s how the netizens reacted to South Africa’s win:

What A Unit!!
Beating the world champs in their own backyard is no small thing

Well Done Team 🇿🇦#ProteaFire 🔥 pic.twitter.com/B4AkvEhmIX

— Tabraiz Shamsi (@shamsi90) July 4, 2021

I like the idea of bowling wide to Pollard, it might slow down his scoring to start but limits you from getting him out early.

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) July 3, 2021

Markram and de Kock together at the crease really excites me. And now, SA for the win.. by 20 runs. Best seamers in the world with a very underrated spin attack.

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) July 3, 2021

Shocker

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) July 3, 2021

🤷🏻‍♂️🤔 pic.twitter.com/7oQEyylKn7

— Albie Morkel (@albiemorkel) July 3, 2021

Tabraiz Shamsi in the T20 series against the T20 World champions Champions West Indies:

4-0-27-1
4-0-16-1
4-0-13-2
4-0-13-2
4-0-11-1

The batting lineup consists of Gayle, Lewis, Pollard, Russell, Pooran, Hetmyer – Remarkable Shamsi. #WIvSA pic.twitter.com/R2ky5KtTYW

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 3, 2021

141* in first Test
96 in second Test
37(24) in first T20
72(51) in third T20
60(43) in fourth T20
60(42) in fifth T20

What a tour for De Kock, unbelievable run in both formats, carrying the batting unit of South Africa. A top class effort from QDK. #WIvSA pic.twitter.com/L3Y3BTrKgC

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 3, 2021

A warning from Pollard to Markram for taking advantage before the ball bowled. #WIvSA pic.twitter.com/DjQQw5nsgv

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 3, 2021

West Indies post Powerplay slowdown (overs 7-12)
1st T20I: 51/2
2nd T20I: 23/3
3rd T20I: 51/4
4th T20I: 22/2
5th T20I: 34/2

Shamsi: 12-43-5 (ER 3.58)
Linde: 9-57-5 (ER 6.33)#WIvSA

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) July 3, 2021