‌AI Simulation, SA vs WI | Proteas seal series with game to spare as de Kock leads another calm chase

Pitch and Weather

Centurion offered a typically quick surface with good bounce and carry, especially under lights. The new ball moved enough to reward disciplined pace bowling in the first six overs before settling into a decent batting track. As the evening progressed, rising humidity brought light dew into play, easing run-scoring in the second innings. Conditions were warm throughout, with no rain interruptions.

Toss

South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl first, continuing the recent trend at the venue where chasing sides have enjoyed success under lights.

Lineups

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram (c), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Jason Smith, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje

West Indies: Shai Hope (c & wk), Brandon King, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Shamar Joseph, Akeal Hosein, Jayden Seales

Match Report

Opting to bat first, West Indies were immediately tested by South Africa’s pace trio. Kagiso Rabada struck early by removing Sherfane Rutherford with extra bounce, while Anrich Nortje hurried Shai Hope with pace and lift. Brandon King held one end together, playing with control and picking his moments to attack, but the visitors struggled to build momentum during the powerplay and reached it two wickets down.

Shimron Hetmyer injected some urgency after the fielding restrictions, targeting the shorter boundary and lifting the scoring rate with a pair of clean sixes off Ngidi. His brief partnership with King steadied the innings, but just as West Indies looked set for a late push, Marco Jansen forced Hetmyer into a mistimed shot to midwicket. Rovman Powell and Jason Holder added quick runs at the death, yet regular wickets meant the innings never fully opened up. West Indies closed on 162/8, a total that felt slightly short given the conditions.

South Africa’s chase began with intent but without risk. Quinton de Kock was fluent from the outset, using the pace of the ball to find gaps square of the wicket. Aiden Markram rotated strike effectively at the other end, ensuring the asking rate stayed under control. The pair added a steady opening stand that removed early pressure and forced West Indies to defend deeper fields earlier than planned.

Akeal Hosein provided the breakthrough by trapping Markram in front, and Jason Holder dismissed Rickelton soon after to offer a brief opening. However, de Kock continued to anchor the innings, bringing up his half-century with a pulled boundary off Seales. Dewald Brevis finished the job with a short burst of attacking shots, lifting Hosein over long-on and punching gaps in the covers as South Africa crossed the line in the 19th over.

The result reflected the overall flow of the match. South Africa controlled key phases with the ball, batted with clarity, and avoided the collapses that have hurt West Indies in recent games. The visitors showed flashes of power but lacked consistency across their innings, once again falling behind in the series.

Player of the Match

Quinton de Kock was named Player of the Match for guiding the chase with a composed 55 at the top of the order, setting the platform for a comfortable South African win.