T20 World Cup: South Africa power past West Indies to edge closer to semi-finals

Captain Aiden Markram smashed a brilliant 82 not out as South Africa placed one foot in the T20 World Cup semi-finals with a nine-wicket demolition of the West Indies.

Markram, Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton made batting look easy on an Ahmedabad track that contained demons for the Windies top and middle order earlier in the day.

Having slumped to 83 for seven, the West Indies recovered to post 176 for eight from their 20 overs, thanks largely to 49 from Jason Holder and 52 not out from Romario Shepherd.

But it never looked like being enough as the Proteas cruised to their victory target with 23 balls to spare. It was another hugely impressive display from South Africa following on from their emphatic defeat of India on Sunday and their net run-rate is such that only a catastrophic performance against Zimbabwe will prevent them from advancing to the last four.

The Windies’ fate is a little more complicated and they will have one eye on this afternoon’s game between Zimbabwe and India to know what they have to do against the tournament co-hosts at the weekend.

South Africa’s pacemen skittle Windies

Either way, they will have to bat better than they did here. 

Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi did much of the damage, taking five wickets between them, before Corbin Bosch also got in on the act as the Windies big-heave tactics failed to pay off.

Seven of the eight wickets fell to pace while Bosch was also involved in the run out that saw Holder fall one run shy of his half-century.

In response, the Proteas were superb, opening pair Markram and De Kock rattling off half the target inside eight overs before the latter holed out to Holder at long-on for 47 off the bowling of Roston Chase.

If the Windies sensed a way back into the game, Rickelton and Markram swiftly closed the door.

Markram never looked in any danger while Rickelton’s 45 not out off 28 balls ensured victory was wrapped up in double-quick time.

South Africa captain Markram happy with personal display

Markram said: “Whether I’m captain or not, opening is a responsibility. I have a good relationship with Quinny [de Kock] and Rickelton at number three. We try to make sure the team gets off to a good start especially on wickets like this and hope to continue this.”

South Africa are now the only unbeaten side in the tournament as they look to go one better than the 2024 final defeat to India.