Markram leads the way as South Africa ease past WI

PAARL, South Africa (CMC):

Aiden Markram's commanding, unbeaten 86 guided South Africa to a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over the West Indies, securing a 1-0 lead in their three-match T20I series here yesterday.

The win marks South Africa's first in eight non-World Cup T20I matches, breaking a concerning streak with a dominant chase.

Opting to bowl first, the Proteas successfully restrained the West Indies to 173 for seven, a total that always looked within reach on a good Paarl surface.

The visitors began explosively, with Brandon King driving his way to 27 off 16 balls to help the visitors to a good start at 39 without loss inside four overs.

However, the introduction of spin proved decisive. Keshav Maharaj broke through, bowling Johnson Charles for 13 before King played a Corbin Bosch delivery onto his stumps.

Maharaj then removed the in-form Sherfane Rutherford, who chopped on after scoring six runs, as the innings stumbled to 50 for three in the powerplay.

Matthew Forde was promoted to number three but the Barbadian managed two sixes in making just 16 before he was caught off Bosch.

Stand-in captain Roston Chase, playing his 50th T20I, fell in the 12th over, as he was bowled by George Linde to leave the hosts at a precarious 95 for five. The recovery was led by Shimron Hetmyer and, to a lesser extent, Rovman Powell, who counter-attacked brilliantly.

Hetmyer launched Maharaj for two massive sixes in a 16-run over, propelling the West Indies past 100. His 48-run knock, the innings' top score, was eventually ended by a superb relay catch on the boundary by Dewald Brevis to hand Linde his second wicket.

Powell would help himself to two fours and a six in his unbeaten knock of 29, but just 19 runs in the last three overs meant the West Indies managed 173.

Player of the match Linde, who picked up the last wicket of Jason Holder for one, finished with three for 25 from four overs.

The gettable target demanded a solid start, and South African captain Markram provided a masterpiece to get the ball rolling.

After a period of inconsistent T20I form, he announced his return with a flurry of breathtaking strokes. He plundered 12 runs off Forde's first over, including three pristine cover drives, and raced to 31 off just 15 balls in the powerplay.

He was ably supported by Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who contributed a lively 34 in an 83-run opening stand. After Pretorius fell to Chase for 44, Ryan Rickelton, 40 not out, settled seamlessly into his new role at number three, playing with freedom as the pressure evaporated.

Markram, however, was the undisputed architect. He mixed power with exquisite timing, reaching his half-century off 28 balls. His unbeaten 86 from 47 deliveries included 12 boundaries, a statement innings that steered South Africa to 176 for one with 18 balls to spare.