RSA VS WI - 3rd T20I, West Indies tour of South Africa, 2023

T20s are a game of small margins. 26 runs off the last over when Windies were batting was a lot of damage done. In the end, SA lost this by 7 runs. A lot of results can be penned down after a post-mortem of the game. But just that last over, the last ball off the 19th over when Shepherd was dropped. All these little things combined together to do some colossal damage to the hosts. There was no QDK to save the day, no Killer-Miller show, no heroics from Markram at the end. But SA can take note of a few positives. Hendricks batted like a dream. Rossouw looked in fine touch as well. Markram's initiation to the leadership was baptism by fire but SA would look to improve as a unit. We have had a rollicking ride as well. See you soon!

Rovman Powell: After the last game, the guys were disappointed. The way Shepherd and Alzarri batted was pleasing. Alzarri got us wickets as well. As a new international captain, I want them to be fearless and be natural. But they need to be smart as well. We knew 250 was a very rare game. We treated this like a final. We knew early wickets will put them under pressure. King and Mayers have been giving us good starts throughout the series. Our batting was very long today. We have quality bowlers as well. South Africa is a good place for the bowlers. I knew Alzarri would like the wickets here. The natural thing would have been to give it to Cottrell. We knew who are the players who can nail 4 yorkers out of 6 balls.

Johnson Charles, Player of the Series: I am very happy. To come back after 6 years and get a Player of the series is a nice feeling. We have won a T20I series after 8 years. I kept faith that I would be recalled. For me personally, I have just gone back to the basics and shuffle it a bit. I have tried to keep it simple. I will definitely take the Centurion pitch back to the Caribbean.

Alzarri Joseph, Player of the Match: We got a good total. Was up to the bowlers to defend it. It is always good to have the confidence of the captain. It has been a long tour. I enjoy a challenge. I enjoy leading the pack.

Aiden Markram: Good game for the neutral viewer. Fell few runs short in the end. There was a stage when we would have liked to wrap it up for 170-180. Anything under 200 was our goal. It is always ifs and buts. But we should do some self reflection. To stop batters at these venues, you need wickets. You always need to keep attacking. Was challenging at times. Not great to lose. Hurting a little.

21:50 Local Time, 19:50 GMT, 01:20 IST: It rained in the first game but Windies had the DLS covered. It rained sixes and fours in the next game with SA clinching it amidst a horde of records which tumbled down. And Windies have once again managed to keep the hosts at bay to clinch the T20I series. They were battered in the whites. ODIs saw some retribution. And come the T20Is, Windies have indeed come to their own. The two time World champions batted superbly today to get to 220. SA got off to a slowish start and lost QDK early. Hendricks threatened to take it away, but apart from Rossouw, he didn't find enough support. The supplies from Markram came a little too late as Windies nudged the hosts by 7 runs in the end. Alzarri Joseph with his fifer being the difference. He picked up crucial wickets and SA were dented pretty badly. Windies had to deal with dew and some sloppy fielding as well as the 11 wides that were gifted away. But they did enough to make it 2-1. Hang on to hear from the skippers as one of the most fascinating T20I duels in recent times has come to an end.

R Reifer to Markram, FOUR, flogged across the line and four more. That escaped to the deep mid fence but it doesn't matter. WIndies win this by 7 runs. They take the series 2-1

R Reifer to Markram, FOUR, drills a fuller ball and slams it down the ground for a four. 12 still needed. Only a ball to go. SA fans are very quiet

R Reifer to Markram, 2 runs, and that should be it. Was a very full ball, Markram heaves it down to deep mid for a couple only. Powell does a celebratory jig

R Reifer to Markram, 2 runs, that was slogged across the line and the man at deep mid fails to stop the second. They took the second on the throw. Poor from the fielder in the deep. Was a low full toss and Markram failed to time it. 18 needed off 3 balls

R Reifer to Markram, FOUR, fuller ball, drilled away and past cover for a four. 20 needed now. Windies got 26 off their last over. That was blasted away by Markram

R Reifer to Markram, 2 runs, and he had to run. He makes it. Was a length delivery., Markram flogged it down to deep mid. Gets back in time. 24 needed now off 5 balls

Over-rate penalty for West Indies! There can be only 4 fielders outside the 30-yard circle

Raymon Reifer, comes into the attack

Alzarri Joseph to Fortuin, no run, top-edge! The ball lands over short fine and Markram doesn't run. He will have strike but a herculean task stares him now. 26 needed off 6 balls

Alzarri Joseph to Fortuin, wide, slower, too full, too wide outside off and has been wided

Bjorn Fortuin, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Alzarri Joseph to Parnell, out Bowled!! Al Jo has a fifer! That was a length delivery, Parnell goes for a slog across the line and misses it to be clean bowled. You miss and I hit couldn't have had a better example. That was at the sticks and Parnell missed the line. SA losing the plot now. Parnell b Alzarri Joseph 2(2)

Alzarri Joseph to Parnell, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

Alzarri Joseph to Parnell, 2 runs, slower delivery, Parnell mistimes it away on to the on-side for a couple