Johnson Charles slammed a remarkable second Twenty20 International (T20I) hundred to propel West Indies to their highest-ever T20I total, but South Africa made a mockery of the target by completing the highest-ever successful run chase in T20Is to pull off an astonishing six-wicket win here yesterday.
Opener Quinton de Kock smashed 100 from 44 balls as the hosts incredibly won with seven balls to spare in Centurion.
Johnson Charles had earlier hit a 39-ball century in West Indies’ 258-5, the fastest T20 ton for their men’s side.
But De Kock and Reeza Hendricks, who hit 68 from 28, shared an opening stand of 152 and the Proteas won at a canter.
They took 29 from the second over and reached 100 after 5.3 overs in a continuation of a remarkable display of six-hitting on a flat pitch at altitude.
Their total of 102-0 after six overs was the highest powerplay score in a men’s T20 international involving Test-playing sides.
De Kock was caught in the 11th over and Hendricks in the 13th but their blistering start meant the Proteas were able to be relatively measured afterward, captain Aiden Markram hitting an unbeaten 38 from 21 balls to take them over the line.
“It was pretty, pretty crazy. When we’d come off we thought we had enough [at the half-way stage], but credit has to be given to Quinton de Kock and Reeza Henricks. They applied the pressure from ball one and I think we didn’t respond,” said captain Rovman Powell.
“It’s very hard. Fortunately for me I’m used to it now. I think this is like my seventh game around the T20 circuit where my team scored over 240, 245 runs and lost, so I’m quite used to it now.”
n all, the 517 runs plundered was the most in a T20 game, while the 35 sixes struck also shattered the old record.
“That was a great game to be part of. All in all, I think both teams can appreciate it. We witnessed two really good knocks today and I hope it’s remembered for their sake,” said Proteas captain Aiden Markram.
“Some of the guys said they were 15 short. The guys always believed that if a couple guys get in like Quinny and Reeza did, it was going to come down close to the end.
“So I think a lot of the credit has to go to the two of them getting us off to such a great start and pretty much making the rest of the chase a bit more comfortable.”
Charles beat the Windies record previously held by Chris Gayle by eight balls, also making it the joint fourth-fastest ton in men’s T20 internationals.
The right-hander was eventually bowled for 118 from 46 balls as West Indies racked up their highest T20 score, only for South Africa to do so themselves.
It’s unfortunate that the choice of words by Powell doesn’t fit into how he plays.The point he wants to make wasn’t fully explained