Sent in to bat first in the second T20I, the Windies made full use of a superb batting surface, piling on a competitive 221/4 from their 20 overs. It was a classic Centurion belter, and the Caribbean batters cashed in.

Shimron Hetmyer once again led the charge with the willow for the visitors, producing a classy 75 off just 42 balls, peppered with eight fours and three sixes. 

He was ably backed by Sherfane Rutherford, who followed up his strong SA20 showing by smashing an unbeaten 57 off only 24 deliveries. 

Shimron Hetmyer. Photo: Cricinfo

Rutherford’s brutal cameo included five fours and four sixes and ensured the Windies set the Proteas a stiff chase.

Keshav Maharaj was the standout for South Africa with the ball, the left-arm spinner delivering a superb spell of 2/22 in his four overs to keep the visitors in check.

In reply, Quinton de Kock turned on the fireworks. The Proteas opener continued his purple patch with a breathtaking, career-best 115 off just 49 balls, an innings that featured six fours and ten towering sixes into the Centurion night sky. 

New record

Along the way, De Kock etched his name into the record books, becoming South Africa’s all-time leading run-scorer in T20 cricket, surpassing former skipper Faf du Plessis. His tally now stands at 12,113 runs from 419 innings at an astonishing strike rate of 139.1.

De Kock found the perfect partner in Ryan Rickelton, who is clearly enjoying the last laugh after initially being left out of the Proteas squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. 

Rickelton was in sublime touch, hammering nine fours and three sixes on his way to an unbeaten 77, as South Africa powered past the target with 15 balls to spare.

Spinner Akeal Hosein was the pick of the West Indies bowlers, finishing with figures of 2/41 after removing De Kock and Dewald Brevis for four.

After sealing the series, De Kock said the Proteas knew exactly what to expect from the Centurion surface and had a clear plan when it came to chasing down another big total.

“We know this wicket and we’ve chased here quite a few times over the years,” said De Kock after registering his second T20I century, which he remarkably scored with a bat loaned from Brevis.

Ryan Rickelton. Photo: Cricinfo

“It’s just a matter of assessing what’s going to happen and then doing what we’ve done in the past. A good start was needed and Aiden took that upon himself to really have a crack up front.

“After that it was about picking the right bowler at the right time to get one or two boundaries, build momentum and just carry on with it.”

Reflecting on his personal success at a ground he knows so well, De Kock added that familiarity bred confidence.

Sherfane Rutherford. Photo: Cricifo

“We’ve done it quite a few times on this ground, so that gives you confidence, knowing that most totals on a good wicket do get chased down,” he said.

“It’s just a matter of applying yourself, going through the process and, over the years of doing it here, having the confidence to go about our business.”

 The third and final T20 International takes place on Saturday at the Wanderers in Johannesburg, with play scheduled to get underway at 18:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek  cvs