So that is a wrap to the ODI series between South Africa and West Indies with both teams winning a game each and the first match getting abandoned to rain. Stay tuned with us for matches across the globe. For now, I am AkshayaKrishna Polya signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Deepak Prakash, who, alongside our scorers/analysts Ashok Dayma and Yogesh Kumar brought you all live-action of this series decider. We will meet in the next match. Until then, it's cheers!
Aiden Markram (South Africa Captain):"We are aware of Heinrich's talent. It's an excellent perspective to have. I talked briefly with the coach after seeing the opening game. The rules for this game were rather straightforward. We didn't want to raise it because we are aware of their influence. He (Jansen) is a very young man and is attempting to perfect the finishing. He clearly cares about it because he was upset when he left."
Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma and Shai Hope pose with the trophy as the series ended on level terms.
Shai Hope (West Indies Captain and Player of the Series): "This match has definitely not gone our way. We have been outplayed. We batted poorly. But we can't concede 260-odd runs under 20 overs. We have ourselves to blame at. You should always keep learning from your mistakes. Need to be focused on the job at hand. Once you walk out to play, you have an opportunity to perform for West Indies and that is what you do."
Heinrich Klaasen and Shai Hope have been jointly named as Player of the Series
Heinrich Klaasen (Player of the Match & Series):"A Pretty good wicket and probably it's one of the best knocks. The conditions were excellent there, and we attempt to play the situation rather than the conditions. What shots you take depends on the circumstances.
In my training session yesterday, I practiced hitting from either the inside or outside of the bat, but I also participated in a couple of throwdowns. To continue, I'll do whatever it takes. The team should always be taken home."
Player of the Match: Heinrich Klaasen
8:25 PM IST | Time for post-match presentations...
Stay tuned for the post-match presentations...
Chasing 261 runs to win, South Africa lost Ryan Rickelton (3 off 10) very early in the piece. Alzarri Joseph bowled a fiery new ball spell and got the rewards with the breakthroughs of Rickelton and Rassie van der Dussen inside the field restrictions. Before getting out van der Dussen (14 off 8) looked good for a brief period.
Aiden Markram (25 off 26) and Tony de Zorzi tried to rebuild the innings with a 37-run partnership for the third wicket. But Markram threw his wicket away after getting a decent start. De Zorzi (21 off 22) was the next one to bite the dust in the bowling of Akeal Hosein and South Africa were in deep trouble at 87/4 at one stage.
Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller played positively and stitched 55 runs for the 5th wicket in no time and shifted the momentum back on the Proteas side. Akeal Hosein broke this stand with a nice caught and bowled dismissal of Killer Miller (17 off 17).
Klaasen didn't bother of these dismissals at the other end as he amassed a counter-attacking hundred. He scored 119 runs off 61 balls with 15 fours and 5 biggies and remained unbeaten. His century came off just 54 balls. He was given good support by Marco Jansen, adding a 103-run partnership in quick time for the 6th wicket.
Joseph came back into the attack and removed Jansen (43 off 33) to give West Indies a consolation wicket. Klaasen finished it off in style by smashing Yannic Cariah for 6,4 and 4 in the 30th over to level the series at 1-1.
West Indies bowlers were wayward with their lines and lengths and were taken to the cleaners by the middle and lower order of the home side. Apart from Joseph (3 wickets) and Akeal Hosein (2 wickets) no one really looked like having a control on the proceedings.