T20 World Cup: South Africa win as West Indies suffer second defeat
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Markram fires South Africa to victory with brilliant 50
ICC Men's T20 World Cup, Dubai |
West Indies 143-8 (20 overs): Lewis 56 (35); Pretorius 3-17 |
South Africa 144-2 (18.2 overs): Markram 51* (26), Van der Dussen 43* (51) |
South Africa won by eight wickets |
Defending champions West Indies are heading towards an early exit from the T20 World Cup after a second successive comprehensive defeat.
Three days after they were bowled out for 55 by England, West Indies saw South Africa cruise to an eight-wicket victory in Dubai.
The Proteas chased down 144 with 10 balls to spare and claim their first win of the tournament.
However, the match is likely to be remembered for South Africa wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock's withdrawal after refusing to take a knee.
Defeat leaves West Indies needing to win their final three Group 1 games and hoping results go their way elsewhere if they are to finish in the top two and qualify for the semi-finals.
They face Bangladesh in Sharjah on Friday, while South Africa meet Sri Lanka at the same venue on Sunday.
Aiden Markram struck the fastest fifty of the tournament, from 25 balls, to steer South Africa home.
He finished 51 not out, adding an unbroken 83 for the third wicket with Rassie van der Dussen, who made an unbeaten 43, against a West Indies attack lacking potency.
South Africa's chase did not start perfectly, Andre Russell producing some magic at mid-off to run out captain Temba Bavuma for two as he attempted a risky single in the first over.
But Markram combined fluency and power, while Van der Dussen played the anchor role, in a superbly paced pursuit.
West Indies' Lewis hits superb 56 against South Africa
West Indies batting falters again
On paper, West Indies' batting line-up is terrifying, but it has not clicked and they are in danger of relinquishing their T20 crown less than a week into the Super 12 phase of the tournament.
After their humbling by England amid a flurry of rash shots, a change of approach was perhaps expected against South Africa.
Opener Lendl Simmons took it quite literally. He poked and prodded his way to 16 from 35 balls without a boundary before falling in the 14th over.
Evin Lewis compensated for Simmons' dot-ball bonanza and looked like he was batting on another pitch. He struck six sixes in his 35-ball 56, while captain Kieron Pollard made 26 off 20.
But West Indies faltered thanks to the brilliant death bowling of Anrich Nortje and Dwaine Pretorius, who claimed 1-14 and 3-17 respectively as five wickets tumbled in the last four overs.
Lewis hits Markram for three boundaries in a row
'A step in the right direction' - reaction
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma: "After the last game we knew there were areas we had to improve in our game. Particularly with the bat, we had to be more clinical and it's a step in the right direction.
"Our bowlers have been fantastic over the last while and again they showed their skill and their class."
On Quinton de Kock: "Quinton is a big player for the team, not just with the bat, but the role he plays from a senior point of view and from an experience point of view. Not having that at my disposal as a captain was obviously something I wasn't looking forward to."
West Indies captain Kieron Pollard: "I'm disappointed. We left about 20-25 runs out there when we batted, and that could have made a difference in terms of how we finished off because we got off to a pretty decent start.
"We have to dig deeper as a team. We have to dig deeper as a batting unit. We have to come out and hold our heads up and try to play a good game of cricket."
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