STATS HIGHLIGHTS
Follow UsThe competition was even. West Indies lost both the Tests, but made a grand start in the T20I series with a huge win in the first T20I. However, South Africa bounced strongly with back-to-back victories. The combo of senior players, Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo, fetched a win in the fourth to level the series.
In the decider, collective performances from South African players saw through and clinched the series. There were few noteworthy stats from the series, here are a few of them:
Six hitting at its best
One thing is for certain when West Indies are playing, there will be a plethora of sixes. This is the reason why they are one of the greatest entertainers. Chasing 161 in the first T20I, West Indies batsmen clubbed 15 sixes. Evin Lewis was the main destroyer-in-chief with seven sixes. Their batsmen had scored 55.9 percent of the team runs in sixes. In an innings that has seen 10+ sixes, the 55.9 percent of runs is the third most for a team.
South Africa and cliffhangers – a common sighting?
After a win in the second T20I, South Africa had a moment of scare in the third. They were at the brink of losing the match. But, in T20I history they are known for snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. Defending 168, South Africa won by just 1 run, which was the fourth instance of them winning by that margin. No other team has done this more than twice.
Worst first over of the match
As a surprise move, Aiden Markram opened the bowling in the fourth T20I. But, it completely backfired on South Africa. Markram was carted for 20 runs that included two fours and two sixes, all from the bat of Lendl Simmons. No other bowler had conceded as many runs as Markram in the first of the match in a T20I.
Third oldest player to 4-wicket haul
Dwayne Bravo made his West Indies comeback in 2020 against Ireland after a three-year long gap. Since then, he has bagged 20 wickets at an average of 17.2 at an economy of 7 and a strike rate of 14.7. In the fourth and the must win T20I for West Indies, all his experience came handy. He bagged a four-wicket haul at the age of 37 years and 267 days, becoming the third oldest player to achieve this feat in T20Is among the Test playing nation players. More to his glory, his spell of 4 for 19 was his career best.
Third most sixes hit in a series
There ain't many five-match T20I series played across the globe. But, when it includes the Caribbeans, there would be an abundance of sixes. In total, 76 sixes were smashed in this series, 53 by West Indies and 23 by South Africa. These 76 sixers are the third most sixes hit in a bilateral series. In addition, this is also the most sixes hit by West Indies batsmen in a series. Previously, in their 2012 World Cup winning campaign, they hit 49 sixes.
Most wickets by pacers
Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi at one end and the wily Dwayne Bravo and the new sensation Obed McCoy on the West Indian side. In this series, the pacers have bagged 46 wickets as compared to 18 by spinners. In total, 64 wickets were bagged by bowlers, which is the second most in a series which involves two Test playing nations. In addition, the 46 wickets bagged by the pacers is the most in a bilateral series.
Quinton de Kock emerges at the top
With the T20 World Cup nearing, Quinton de Kock's form is a blessing for South Africa. Throughout this tour, he has been the most dominant batsman. In the last three T20Is, he amassed three half-centuries. He scored 255 runs in five matches this series, which is the most for a batsman in a bilateral series.
Tabraiz Shamsi’s miser series
In the recent past, the left-arm chinaman has been exceptional for South Africa. In this T20 series, he was the pick of the bowlers, let be in terms of wickets or economy. Shamsi bagged seven wickets at an economy of 4 runs per over. Among bowlers who have bowled 20+ overs in a series, no bowler has been as miser as Shamsi.
