South Africa top Group 2, seal semis spot in WC

ANTIGUA (North Sound): South Africa survived some anxious moments before overpowering West Indies in a make-or-break match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium to earn a place in the T20 World Cup semi-finals.

In a rain-marred virtual quarter-final, South Africa were asked to chase 123 runs in 17 over (DLS). They looked like losing the plot before recovering well to hit the target in 16.1 overs, well enough to take them to the top of the Group 2 ahead of England. The defeat left the West Indies crowd and team in a state of shock as yet another T20 World Cup has seen the host nation failing to win the title. When Roston Chase (3-12) started taking one after another wicket to expose South Africa’s tail, it seemed that Australia might fall victim to the chokers tag -- commonly used for their cricket team. Marco Jansen (21 out out) then held on his nerves, striking six and a four to take South Africa in semi-finals ahead of England and to the top of the Group 2.

Tristan Stubbs (29) earlier held South Africa’s innings together watching wickets tumbling at the other end.

Captain Aiden Markram (19) and Heinrich Klaasen (22) were threatening to make short work of a given target for a brief period. Once both departed, going got tougher for the Africa nation till the time Jansen struck the winning runs.

Earlier, West Indies struggled throughout the 20 overs with Roston Chase (52) being the only batsman playing an innings of quality. His 42-ball fifty, studded with two sixes and three fours, saw West Indies setting up a rather easy target of 136 for South Africa to chase.

South Africa were brilliant up front, removing dangerous Shai Hope (0) and Nichole Pooran (1) before Man of the Match Tabraiz Shamsi (3-27) spun the magic to remove West Indies middle-order and to restrict the host nation to a low total. “Good to contribute to the victory. There was something in the wicket and I am glad to put the ball on the right target to restrict West Indies to a reachable target,” Shamsi said after scooping up the Man of the Match award.

When the rain started pouring in, South Africa were struggling at 15-2. Later the target was adjusted to 123 in 17 overs for South Africa to chase.

South Africa won the toss

West Indies 1st innings

Mayers c Tristan b Tabraiz 35

Shai c Tristan b Marco 0

Nicholas c Marco b Aiden 1

Roston c Kagiso b Tabraiz 52

Rovman st Quinton b Keshav 1

Sherfane c Aiden b Tabraiz 0

Andre run out Nortje 15

Hosein c&b Kagiso 6

Alzarri Joseph not out 11

Gudakesh Motie not out 4

Extras: 1b 1lb 0nb 0pen 8w 10

Total: (20.0 overs) 135-8

Fall of Wickets : 1-2, 2-5, 3-86, 4-89, 5-94, 6-97, 7-117, 8-118

Bowling: Marco Jansen 2-0-17-1, Aiden Markram 4-0-28-1 7.00 2w, Keshav Maharaj 4-0-24-1, Anrich Nortje 4-0-26-0, Tabraiz Shamsi 4-0-27-3, Kagiso Rabada 2-0-11-1

South Africa 1st innings

Kock c Rutherford b Russell 12

Reeza c Pooran b Andre 0

Aiden c Kyle b Alzarri 18

Tristan c Kyle b Roston 29

Heinrich c Nicholas b Alzarri 22

David b Roston 4

Marco not out 21

Maharaj c Alzarri b Roston 2

Rabada not Out 5

Total:(16.1 overs) 124-7

Fall of Wickets : 1-12, 2-15, 3-42, 4-77, 5-93, 6-100, 7-110

Bowling: Akeal Hosein 3-0-31-0, Andre Russell 4-0-19-2, Alzarri Joseph 4-0-25-2, Gudakesh Motie 1-0-20-0, Obed McCoy 1.1-0-15-0, Roston Chase 3-0-12-3

Result: South Africa win by 3 wickets

Player of the match: Tabraiz Shamsi

Umpire: Wharf, Tucker