West Indies secured a consolation victory by six runs in the third T20I of the three-match series at the Wanderers. In the match, which was reduced to 10 overs per side, West Indies handed South Africa a defeat in their first T20I played in pink. The fixture was part of the annual campaign to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer treatment.

As there were no ODIs scheduled in South Africa this summer, the event was held in the T20 format. Continuous delays caused by lightning further shortened the contest, but the match still delivered strong entertainment for a sell-out crowd.

Delayed Start and Fast Scoring Begin West Indies’ Innings

The match began 75 minutes late after lightning was spotted shortly before the scheduled start. The game was first cut to 16 overs per side, and West Indies began aggressively.

Shai Hope opened with a boundary off the first ball. Johnson Charles tried to attack early but was dismissed for a three-ball duck, hitting Lungi Ngidi straight to Aiden Markram, who had placed himself in a short over position.

Hope continued to drive confidently, but it was Shimron Hetmyer who changed the pace of the innings. He arrived at the crease without a helmet or cap and immediately went on the attack, hitting Ngidi for two sixes, one of which landed among spectators. The fan involved was later checked by medical staff.

West Indies Dominate Before Another Interruption

Hope punished Keshav Maharaj for 18 runs in an over, but South Africa stayed with spin. Markram brought himself on and was also taken apart, with both Hetmyer and Hope clearing the boundary.

Despite a tight over from George Linde, West Indies reached 66 for 1 after six overs. Play was then stopped again due to lightning, leading to another hour-long delay. When the game resumed, it was further reduced to 10 overs per side, leaving West Indies with only four overs to finish their innings.

Hetmyer Finishes Strong

Corbin Bosch bowled a disciplined over on return, but Maharaj was again targeted. His second over went for 20 runs, though he managed to dismiss Hope, caught at long-off.

Rovman Powell hit two sixes off Kwena Maphaka but was dismissed soon after. Hetmyer remained unstoppable and ended the innings in style, hitting his sixth six to finish on 48 not out from 22 balls.

West Indies posted 114 for 3 in 10 overs, and South Africa’s target was revised to 125.

South Africa Start Fast but Lose Momentum

Quinton de Kock, coming off a century in the previous match, gave South Africa a strong start with 19 runs in the opening over. However, Aiden Markram failed to build on it and was dismissed attempting a big shot off Akeal Hosein.

South Africa promoted Dewald Brevis to No.3, a move that almost backfired. Brevis was dropped on 2, marking West Indies’ third major dropped catch of the series.

West Indies Regain Control

West Indies soon struck back. De Kock was caught on the boundary by Powell, giving Gudakesh Motie his first wicket of the series. Ryan Rickelton and Brevis briefly counterattacked with a quick 28-run stand, but neither could stay long.

Rickelton was caught at long-on, and Brevis fell soon after to a relay catch involving Powell and Jason Holder. At 63 for 4 after six overs, South Africa needed 62 runs from the final four overs.

Tense Finish in the Final Over

Jason Smith, selected as a finisher for the World Cup, impressed with 20 runs off seven balls but struggled for strike late. Tristan Stubbs reduced the equation, but South Africa still needed nine runs from the last two balls.

Shamar Joseph, playing his first match of the series, delivered a crucial final over. He bowled Smith with a sharp yorker, leaving South Africa needing eight runs from the last ball.

Bosch was dropped on the final delivery but failed to ground his bat while running. South Africa finished one run short of a double, and West Indies won by six runs.