Quinton de Kock's 115 Guides South Africa to 7-Wicket Victory in 2nd T20I vs West Indies
De Kock's 115 and Rickelton's unbeaten 77 help South Africa chase 222 in 17.3 overs to win the 2nd T20I and the series.
South Africa secured a commanding seven-wicket victory over the West Indies in the second T20I at Supersport Park, Centurion, on Thursday, taking an unassailable lead in the three-match series. Quinton de Kock’s explosive century and Ryan Rickelton’s unbeaten half-century powered the Proteas to chase down a formidable total of 222 in just 17.3 overs.
Chasing 222, South Africa’s innings got an early setback as captain Aiden Markram was dismissed for 15. However, de Kock and Rickelton combined for a match-defining 162-run partnership for the second wicket. De Kock smashed a career-best 115 off 49 balls, while Rickelton contributed a breezy 77 not out off 36 deliveries, taking the game away from the West Indies with ease.
West Indies had earlier posted a challenging 221/4 in their 20 overs, thanks to Shimron Hetmyer’s 75 off 42 balls and Sherfane Rutherford’s explosive 57 off 24 balls. Hetmyer’s innings included eight fours and three sixes, while Rutherford struck five fours and four sixes. Brandon King also supported with a quick 49 off 30 balls, but skipper Shai Hope and Rovman Powell failed to make an impact, scoring just 4 and 2, respectively.
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Keshav Maharaj led the South African bowling effort, taking two wickets for 22 runs in four overs, supported by Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, who claimed one wicket each. For the West Indies, Akeal Hosein impressed with two wickets, while Matthew Forde also chipped in with a scalp. Despite the strong total, the visitors’ bowling unit could not contain the aggressive Proteas batsmen.
The win showcased South Africa’s depth and dominance in T20 cricket, particularly through their top-order firepower. With this victory, the Proteas clinched the T20I series with one match remaining, giving them an opportunity to complete a clean sweep. The emphatic performance also highlighted de Kock and Rickelton’s ability to perform under pressure and anchor the chase successfully.
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