West Indies vs South Africa, 1st T20I at St George's, WI v SA, Jun 26 2021 - Match Result

A resounding win for West Indies to kick start the T20I series with a big blow for South Africa. 161 chased down with that ease is a real task, and with the second game only tomorrow, don't forget to join us as South Africa seek an answer. Until then, this is Himanshu signing off on behalf of Binoy, Raghav and Hemant. Goodnight and goodbye!

James : "5 overs to spare is a lot in T20! This West Indies team is going to be a formidable opponent in the world T20."

And here's Kieron Pollard, who might find it difficult to comprehend what just happened: "We spoke about trying to hit the first punch. Credit to our bowlers how they came back in the middle stages. 160 was under par, and when we play one-day games here, the totals are pretty high. [Lewis is] a talented cricketer, and we hope that consistency can continue. We have a young team from a Test side point of view, but we [the T20I side] have an experience of playing these guys [South Africa] around the world."

Temba Bavuma wears a dejected look: "Obviously disappointed. As a team, we need to have hard discussions and come up with a better plan. We thought 160 was a decent score - probably below par - and like I said, we need to have those conversations. In the last ten overs [with the bat], we didn't capitalise as well as we should have. They obviously played quite well. Lewis and Fletcher got them off to a flyer, and they never gave us a chance after that. We need to be a bit more sound mentally, and come tomorrow with a better attitude."

Let's hear from the captains then.

Lewis, the Player of the Match, sums it up: "I was backing my ability. It was an excellent wicket for batting, and most important is to cash in. Once I see balls in my area, I try and hit. We felt they were 30-40 runs short. [A century] crossed my mind (laughs), but if I score 70 and the team wins, I'm happy! Pretty good start for us [in the series]."

Cric Fan: "West Indies bowlers won the match for them, given the power hitting and the short boundaries. Well done."

Rahul Sargam : "Windies scored 126 runs in those 161 with fours and sixes, losing only two wickets. That shows it all. This team has monsters and can beat anyone. Always love to see windies playing their favorite format. Pollard is the perfect man to lead and get that world cup again. Nailed it, worth being awake so far "

Sarah : "Oh he heard you all right" --- And sent that crashing!

5.38pm West Indies have won, and we can all breathe for now. Three sixes each for Russell and Gayle to wrap up the game with five overs to go, after Lewis took off from ball one with a 35-ball 71 that set the tone for the chase. Fletcher too made an attacking 30, and South Africa were never really in the game when it came to defending that total. 160 was never going to be enough, and the fact that South Africa lacked a sixth bowling option meant West Indies had sealed it much before it was actually over.

Six to win. Are you listening, Russell?

West Indies just two hits away now.

Around the wicket to Russell.

Barns: "No other team ever hits these many sixes , this team is a class apart."

Ngidi returns, over the wicket

Around the wicket to the right-hander too.

Around the wicket now

Azweer: "Just noticed. It's Game no. 50 for Dre Russ" --- Thanks for pointing that out,

Linde is back. Over the wicket.

Rabada is back. Over the wicket.

Tom de Sailor: "Chris Gayle could notch up a rare explosive innings here or there, bit against a good bowling line up, he'll come up short. I think given the vast pool of talent that the Windies have to chose from, they're better off without him. What say?" --- West Indies certainly see him in their plans for the T20 World Cup, and hence those opportunities.