South Africa Seal T20 Series 2-0

Today’s match was better than yesterday’s. But not for the West Indies who fell one run short of their target of 121 and were made to do an hour of sprints by their coach, Otis Gibson, after the match.

It all started a bit like it did yesterday. WI won the toss and elected field and again it wasn’t long before Loots Bosman was caught down leg side. But this time South Africa lost wickets at an even greater rate then they did the day before. Playing on the same strip, the visitors were in trouble at 59 for five in the 13th over, when they were rescued by 20 year-old debutant David Miller (33, 26b, 0×4, 2×6) and Johan Botha (23, 22b, 0×4, 2×6). The pair added 57 runs from 42 deliveries.

South Africa’s 120 for seven didn’t look like enough until Gayle was trapped LBW by Steyn for a duck. It was always game on from then, especially after the other opener, Andre Fletcher was caught behind in the third over. Chanderpaul (29, 37b, 2×4, 1×6) and Bravo (40, 42, 1×4, 2×6) then put on 68 for the third wicket, but they didn’t do it especially quickly. By the end of their partnership, the required run rate has escalated from a run a ball to nearly nine runs per over.

Roelof van der Merwe (sub) and Alviro Petersen both dropped straight-forward catches, allowing the West Indies a chance in the chase. Six wickets down and requiring 15 runs from the last over, it seemed to have swung back South Africa’s way after some excellent bowling from Man of the Match Johan Botha (2/23, 4 ov.).

But then Darren Sammy hit Ryan McLaren for two runs, then consecutive fours (the second was especially clever as it should have been one or two and they somehow ran four!). Six required off three balls and the Windies felt like favourites. The match had been so very dull but suddenly was so very exciting. But Sammy could only manage a single off the next and Deonarine was run out off the ball after that (his bat was in the air… poor old West Indies). Jerome Taylor could only find a single off the last and the visitors sealed the series 2-0 as they won the match by one run.

It was a better game than yesterday but it was nothing to write home about. The West Indies really aren’t very good at winning. And the crowd was again poor. They say Saturday will bring a good crowd. I really hope it’s true. West Indies cricket needs it.

Chris Gayle

“It was a match we should have won, chasing only 120.

“It’s our batting that is such a concern for us – I don’t know what will happen in the 50-over format.”

“We will just have to wait and see what pitch we are given on Saturday.”

“The mindset of some of our batsmen just isn’t right in the pressure situations.”

Johan Botha (Man of the Match)

“I’ve had a nice two weeks in the Caribbean so far and hopefully I can continue for a bit longer.”

“During IPL I didn’t get a game and worked with Jeremy Snape a lot – cutting the doosra out has probably helped so far.”

“I have played quite a bit with this team and this is my first man of the match, but you are only as good as your next game.”

Graeme Smith

“I think anytime you win a tight game it’s a nice feeling -it went to the last ball.”

“The wicket was tough to bat on – it will be interesting to see what they give us for the 50-over games.”

“I think the surface didn’t allow for great cricket – I guess it was comical at times.”

“I thought we fielded well for ten overs but it was disappointing to drop a couple of catches.”

“AB will be starting with the gloves on Saturday.”