betvisa888 betSouth Africa lose 3rd T20I to West Indies amid short-run drama at Wanderers

Table of Contents

Rain turns SA vs WI contest into a stop-start thriller
Shai Hope and Hetmyer power West Indies to 114/3
South Africa’s chase starts fast, then unravels
Corbin Bosch’s broken bat and short-run steal the spotlight at Wanderers

South Africa suffered a dramatic defeat against West Indies in the third and final T20I at the Wanderers on Saturday, as rain interruptions and an extraordinary short-run incident overshadowed the contest. Although the Proteas had already sealed the series 2-1, West Indies salvaged pride with a thrilling six-run win via the DLS method in a match that turned into a chaotic shootout.

Rain turns SA vs WI contest into a stop-start thriller

Persistent rain delayed the start of play by nearly two hours, eventually reducing the contest to 16 overs per side. West Indies made a brisk start and were 66 for one after six overs when another hour-long rain delay intervened. That interruption further shortened the game to just 10 overs per side, forcing both teams into all-out aggression.

Despite the constant disruptions, the visitors adapted quickly, knowing they had nothing to lose after conceding the series.

Shai Hope and Hetmyer power West Indies to 114/3

West Indies posted a competitive 114 for three in their revised 10 overs, driven by a destructive partnership between captain Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer. Hope led from the front with a fluent 48 off 25 balls, while Hetmyer remained unbeaten on 48 from just 22 deliveries.

The duo launched a relentless assault, clearing the ropes 10 times between them. One of Hetmyer’s towering sixes even struck a spectator who was lying on his back in the stands. The moment turned light-hearted when the fan immediately stood up and applauded, drawing cheers from the crowd.

South Africa’s chase starts fast, then unravels

Set a DLS-adjusted target of 125, South Africa began their chase aggressively. Quinton de Kock smashed 18 runs off the opening over, raising hopes of another successful chase. However, momentum shifted quickly when captain Aiden Markram was caught attempting a pull shot in the second over.

De Kock soon followed for 28 off 14 balls, and the innings spiralled as Ryan Rickelton (15) and Dewald Brevis (17) departed in quick succession. Spinner Gudakesh Motie struck three times in the space of eight balls, leaving South Africa struggling to rebuild.

Jason Smith injected fresh hope with a powerful 20-run eighth over, keeping the chase alive. South Africa entered the final over needing 16 runs to win, with tension building under the Johannesburg lights.

The equation was reduced to nine runs off three balls when Smith found the boundary, but the drama was far from over.

Also READ: Fans applaud Ishan Kishan and Arshdeep Singh after India crush New Zealand in Thiruvananthapuram T20I to seal series 4-1

Corbin Bosch’s broken bat and short-run steal the spotlight at Wanderers

The defining moment came on the fifth ball of the ninth over. Shamar Joseph delivered a full ball to Corbin Bosch, who attempted a lofted shot. The bat snapped near the handle mid-swing, sending the ball high toward long-on.

Rovman Powell dropped the catch, but chaos followed. Bosch tried to ground the broken bat – without the handle – over the crease. In a bizarre sight, he held the blade in one hand and the handle in the other but failed to make his ground properly. The umpires ruled it a short run, costing South Africa a crucial run in the dying moments.

Off the final delivery, Bosch could only manage a single as Joseph fired in a full delivery on middle stump. West Indies held their nerve to clinch victory by six runs, ending South Africa’s winning run in the series on a dramatic note.