West Indies Secures Win Over South Africa as Shai Hope Scores 128 In Debut Game As Captain

The Windies claimed a 48-run victory over South Africa in the second ODI at Buffalo Park, thanks to a brilliant century from Shai Hope in his debut match as West Indies one-day captain.

Hope’s unbeaten 128 led the West Indies to a total of 335-8, with South Africa falling short at 287 all out in 41.4 overs.

Despite Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma’s 144 off 118 balls, the other South African batters failed to impress.

At 184-2 in the 25th over, South Africa appeared to be on course to challenge the West Indies’ total.

However, left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein turned the game in West Indies’ favour, taking three crucial wickets and creating a run-out, finishing with figures of 3-59.

Alzarri Joseph also played his part, taking three wickets for 53 runs as the Windies took an unassailable 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The first ODI had been abandoned due to rain.

Hope hit five fours and seven sixes in his 115-ball knock, with support from Nicholas Pooran (39) and Rovman Powell (46), as West Indies posted their highest ODI total against South Africa.

Hope marked the start of his captaincy with his 14th ODI hundred and an unbroken partnership of 42 with Joseph at the end.

Bavuma and Quinton de Kock put South Africa on course straight away with their 76-run opening stand.

But de Kock’s lbw dismissal to Kyle Mayers triggered a collapse, and despite Bavuma’s heroics, South Africa lost the match. Bavuma’s dismissal to Joseph, caught behind by Hope, sealed South Africa’s fate.

The last wicket fell two balls later, as Joseph dismissed Tabraiz Shamsi for a duck, securing victory for West Indies.

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