WI vs SA: Reeza Hendricks’ 87 in vain as Brandon King, bowlers give hosts 1-0 lead

West Indies (WI) started their T20 World Cup 2024 preparation right as they beat South Africa (RSA) by 28 runs in the first game of the three-match series on Thursday, May 23 at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica. After being put in to bat first, WI posted a good score of 175/8 riding on a brilliant knock of 79 (45) by captain Brandon King. In reply, South Africa were bundled out for 147 in 19.5 overs as Reeza Hendricks (87 off 51) failed to get support from the other end.

Earlier in the day, after being put in to bat first, the hosts got off to a brisk start with King making full use of the power play by smashing boundaries. However, his opening partner Johnson Charles (1 off 5) failed to get going and finally fell prey to Ottniel Baartman in the fourth over. Kyle Mayers walked in at number three and stitched a crucial 79-run stand off 44 balls with Brandon King as the duo bailed their team out of early trouble.

Phehlukwayo and Baartman pull things back

West Indies were cruising at 115/2 after 10.5 overs and had their eyes set on a 200-plus total. However, Andile Phehlukwayo (3/28) came to South Africa’s rescue by getting the big scalp of King and broke the dangerous partnership. The all-rounder further accounted for Andre Fletcher (1 off 2) and Fabian Allen (1 off 2), triggering a collapse in the middle overs. Baartman (3/26) also kept the run flow in check by adding two more wickets to his tally as the hosts were reduced to 165/7 in 19 overs. Some late flourish from Roston Chase (32* off 30) guided WI to 175/8 in 20 overs.

RSA’s miserable start

In reply, RSA got off to a horrible start losing their star opener Quinton de Kock (4 off 2) on just the second ball of the inning against Matthew Forde. To add to their misery, Roston Chase got Ryan Rickelton (6 off 7) stumped in the second over to leave RSA reeling at 11/2 after 1.4 overs. However, Reeza Hendricks was unfazed at the other end and continued to bat positively as he completed his half-century off 32 balls.

Hendricks fights alone

The right-handed batter was the lone warrior in South Africa’s chase with wickets continuing to tumble at the other end. Hendricks’ heroic knock of 87 (51) ended in the last over with him falling prey to Mathew Forde (3/27 in 2.5 overs). As a result, RSA were bundled out for 147 in 19.5 overs with WI bowlers hunting in packs.

Apart from Forde, left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie (3/25) also picked up a three-fer while Obed McCoy chipped in with a couple of wickets (2/15). Courtesy of their stupendous bowling performance, WI took a 1-0 lead with two matches remaining in the series. Brandon King was awarded Player of the Match for his sublime 79 (45).