The West Indies have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20 International series against South Africa in Trinidad & Tobago.

On Sunday night, the Windies beat the Proteas by 30 runs at the Brian Lara Cricket Stadium in the 2nd T20 International to clinch the series with a game to spare. The Windies batted first and scored 179/6 with Shai Hope scoring 41, while Lizaad Williams took 3/36 with the ball for South Africa.

The captain, Rovman Powell in turn scored 35 runs, while Sherfane Rutherford contributed with a knock of 29. The former Knights allrounder, Patrick Kruger, also had a good spell with the ball with 2/29 in three overs.

Shai Hope. Photo: Cricinfo

While he was unable to take a wicket, teenager Kwena Maphaka once again impressed with 0/29 in his four overs to finish as South Africa’s most economical bowler.

In reply, the Proteas were bowled out for 149 runs in 19.4 overs with Reeza Hendriks top-scoring with 44, and Romario Shepherd took 4/15 in his 4 overs. Tristan Stubbs chipped in with 28 while the wicketkeeper, Ryan Rickelton scored 20. The seamer Shamar Joseph also did a lot of damage with the ball at the backend of the innings with 3/31 in his complement of 4 overs.

Hendricks said their last ten overs cost them, especially as it was a good wicket, albeit it slowed down a bit halfway through the second innings.

“I thought it was a good wicket and it played particularly well throughout the game, but it definitely slowed down in the second innings in sort of the last ten overs,” said the former Knights batter. “But, generally I thought it was a good wicket.

“We felt that it was a good score and par on this wicket which I mentioned was a good one. We played really well to get this close, but obviously, it’s disappointing that the last ten overs didn’t go according to plan, but we’re quite happy with the most part of it.”

The third and final match in Tarouba will be played on Tuesday (27/8), and play is scheduled to get underway at 21:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mc/mvh