Fast bowler Marco Jansen has become a hero with the bat as South Africa clinched their place in the Twenty20 World Cup semi-finals with a thrilling three wicket win over West Indies in a rain-affected match at North South, Antigua.
For almost an hour as heavy rain fell in the middle of the match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Sunday, both teams were in an anxious limbo.
West Indies had made 8-135 after being sent in and South Africa were 2-12 after two overs when a squall of heavy rain and wind passed across the ground. When the players returned, three overs had been lost and South Africa was chasing 123 from 90 balls.
The Proteas seemed to be coasting towards victory at 3-77 in the eighth over but the co-hosts produced an extraordinary performance to force the match into the last over.
Earlier, Jansen had been injured in a collision with Kagiso Rabada while fielding. By a quirk of fate it was those two players who found themselves at the crease as the match reached its climax.
South Africa needed 12 runs from nine balls when Rabada came out to bat. He hit a four from the last ball of the penultimate over to leave the Proteas needing five runs from six balls. Jansen then smashed the first ball of the last over for six to win the match and finish 21 not out.
“We keep finding a way to win these matches whatever the situation,” said man of the match Tabraiz Shamsi.
“Our supporters would probably like bigger wins. But things like this keep us in check and we’ve been able to overcome these moments throughout the tournament.”
Roston Chase had made 52 from 42 balls and shared a 81-run third wicket partnership with Kyle Mayers (35 from 34) which provided the heart of West Indies’ innings.
They suffered a massive setback when big-hitters Shai Hope (0) and Nicholas Pooran (one) were dismissed in the first two overs.
Chase was dropped on 11 and 14 on his way to a half-century from 39 balls.
Tabraiz Shamsi took 3-27 and captain Aiden Markram (1-28) bowled his four overs consecutively at the top of the order.
South Africa also lost two wickets early. Reeza Hendricks and Quinton de Kock were out in the second over of their innings before the rain. They seemed to have put themselves in a winning position with the help of Tristan Stubbs’ 29 from 27 balls but it finally came down to Jansen.
“Credit has to be given to the boys, I think we fought to the end,” West Indies captain Rovan Powell said.
“I think it was a commendable bowling effort. After making 135 we just decided to give it our all and whatever happens happens.”
Content Source: www.perthnow.com.au