The South African cricket team is a force to reckon with in the cricket world despite the fact that they haven’t won any ICC tournament and they are even known as chokers as they have got close to winning the trophies quite a few times.
However, they are clearly the leaders when it comes to chasing big targets, if you remember in 2006, South Africa chased the big total of 434 against Australia and yesterday, the Proteas once again surprised everyone by chasing the huge target of 259 in a T20I match against West Indies and that too with 7 balls left in their innings.
The match was played at Supersport Park Cricket Stadium, Centurion, South Africa, and after winning the toss, South Africa chose to bowl first. The Caribbean team put up a great show as they scored 258/5 in their 20 overs with the help of brilliant knocks of Johnson Charles (118 runs, 46 balls, 10 fours & 11 sixes) and Kyle Mayers (51 runs, 27 balls, 5 fours & 4 fours).
There were many who were sure that South Africa had no chance of winning the match but the Proteas batters had different plans in their minds, the Proteas openers Quinton De Kock (100 runs, 44 balls, 9 fours & 8 sixes) and Reeza Hendricks (68 runs, 28 balls, 11 fours & 2 sixes) produced a partnership of 152 runs for the first wicket. The South African cricket team surprised everyone by pulling off this chase and soon online users started reacting on the micro-blogging site Twitter.
Here are some selected reactions:
https://twitter.com/mufaddalvuhra/status/1640014098284044289
Set new standard of playing T20I. Insane batting was on display.
— JoziJozi (@JoziRecycling) March 26, 2023
https://twitter.com/SMHussain_/status/1640013831568015361
Only West Indies can lose a T20 match when we make 258, what a crazy chase by South Africa! 😭😭😭 #SAvWI
— Kevin 🇬🇾 (@kevinlokenath) March 26, 2023
T20 love it or hate it. Brilliant match between South Africa and West Indies 🏏
— James (@Surreycricfan) March 26, 2023
South Africa records the highest successful run-chase in men's T20Is at Centurion. A 259-run chase against West Indies in 18.5 overs!
They also break the record for the highest match aggregate in a T20 match.
— Lalith Kalidas (@lal__kal) March 26, 2023
From now onwards, that's how T20I will be played. De kock was and reeza were belligerents.
By the end of powerplay, proteas were almost 100 up for zero and finish the innings with an over and a ball to spare. Insane!
— JoziJozi (@JoziRecycling) March 26, 2023
South Africa vs West Indies.. What a wonderful match.. weekend bonanza…
— Deepak (@kaphybreak) March 26, 2023
There is no denying the fact that the Proteas have certainly defined the T20Is in a new style, it was really an insane display of explosive batting.
