The West Indies went 1-0 up in the three-match T20 International series being played against the Proteas in Jamaica after a 28-run win last night.

The Windies had a bat first and scored 175/8 in their allotted 20-over thanks to 79-runs by the captain Brandon King and 34 by Kyle Mayers.

King needed 45 balls in his innings and in the process hit six fours and six sixes, while Roston Chase in turn contributed with a valuable knock of 32-runs off 30.

The debutant and former Knights seamer Ottniel Baartman was the pick of the South Africa bowlers with 3/26 in his 4-overs. Andile Phehlukwayo, who will be playing for the Titans next season, in turn took 3/28 in an equally good spell of bowling.

In reply, despite 87-runs by Reeza Hendricks, the Proteas were bowled out for 147-runs in 19.5 overs.

Hendricks needed 51 balls and also hit six fours and six sixes. A concern for South Africa will be that their next highest score was 19 by Matthew Breetzke, while the tour captain Rassie van der Dussen scored 17.

Gudakesh Motie was the pick of the Windies bowlers with 3/25 in his 4-overs while Matthew Forde took 3/27 in 2.5-overs.

The second T20 International at Sabina Park will be played on Saturday and the first ball is set to be bowled at 21:00.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport