The hosts’ victory has levelled the three-match series at 1-1.  

Six of South Africa’s batters got to double figures, but no one scored more than 21, which helped West Indies keep the score down to an under-par 113. West Indies won the toss and chose to bowl first. South Africa’s openers, Laura Wolvaardt (16) and Tazmin Brits (14), laid a solid platform, taking the score to 30 without loss by the fourth over.

However, Jahzara Claxton got rid of Wolvaardt, and Matthews dismissed Marizanne Kapp for a duck, reducing South Africa to 32/2 by the end of the powerplay. Nadine de Klerk managed a fair 20 off 24 balls.  She also hit the only six in the innings and put on 29 off 26 balls for the fourth wicket with Karabo Meso, taking South Africa to 69 for 3 in the 13th over. 

Meso (14*) and Annerie Dercksen (21*) went on to add an unbroken 34-run partnership to take South Africa to 113/6 at the end of their 20 overs.

Qiana Joseph started the West Indies chase with two boundaries off Nonkululeko Mlaba. Matthews, with 9 off 17, was slow to start, but the opening pair guided their side to 33/0 after six overs. The partnership grew to 41 before Joseph lofted one off Ayabonga Khaka, caught by Klaas in the eighth over. 

Captain’s innings

Matthews was stable in the middle overs but got little support from the middle order. South Africa’s bowlers kept chipping away at the West Indies batters and managed to leave the West Indies on 77 for 4, needing 37 off 35 balls. 

However, Matthews truly played a captain’s innings and scored her 18th T20 international half-century. She and Jannilea Glasgow (15*) led the Windies to victory, with Glasgow sealing the win with a boundary in the final over.

The third and final T20 match between the two countries, and also the series decider, will take place on Monday at 14:00 local time.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger cg