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In a crucial Super 8 fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, South Africa triumphed over West Indies to secure a spot in the semi-finals. With England already having booked their place from Group 2, this match was pivotal as the winner would join the English team as the second semi-finalist from the group. South Africa’s victory ensured their progression, while West Indies faced the heartbreak of elimination despite a strong tournament performance.
Opting to bowl first, South Africa restricted West Indies to a modest 135/8 in their 20 overs. The Proteas’ bowling attack, led by Marco Jansen and Tabraiz Shamsi, dismantled the Windies’ batting lineup, preventing any significant partnerships from forming. In response, South Africa chased down the revised target of 123 runs (DLS method) with three wickets to spare, overcoming a rain delay that added drama to the contest.
Anrich Nortje’s fielding brilliance steals the show
Among the numerous highlights of the game, Anrich Nortje‘s spectacular run-out of Andre Russell stood out. The incident occurred during the 18th over of the West Indies innings. Akeal Hosein knocked a delivery from Kagiso Rabada to short third man, prompting Russell to sprint towards the striker’s end. Nortje, demonstrating exceptional fielding skills, executed a direct hit that caught Russell inches away from his crease. This moment of brilliance significantly impacted the momentum, contributing to South Africa’s strong position in the game.
Here’s the video:
Also READ: Fans react as co-hosts West Indies gets eliminated from T20 World Cup 2024 following heartbreaking loss against South Africa
Rovman Powell reflects on West Indies’ performance in T20 World Cup 2024
After the game, West Indies captain Rovman Powell expressed his thoughts on the team’s performance and their journey in the tournament. He acknowledged the disappointing batting display, particularly in the middle overs where they lost wickets in clusters. Powell commended his team’s fighting spirit, highlighting their belief in defending the modest total of 135. Despite the loss, Powell took pride in the game West Indies played over the past year, noting the resurgence of interest and support for the team among fans.
“Credit to the boys for fighting till the end. As a batting group this is a performance we want to forget, we didn’t bat well in the middle overs. We lost wickets in clusters and that always breaks the back of the batting team. It was a commendable effort, the boys believed they could defend 135. We haven’t won the World Cup or reached the semifinal but we have played some good cricket in the last 12 months. There is a buzz among the supporters about West Indies cricket again and that is something we take away. We really appreciate the support we have got at various venues and the likes on social media,” said Powell at the post-match presentation.
