Brandon King-led West Indies got off to a winning start in the T20I series against South Africa in Kingston, Jamaica, securing a 28-run victory in the first of three T20Is. Despite missing some of their big names in the batting department due to IPL duties, skipper King made up for the absence with a 45-ball 79 that helped them post 175/5. Reeza Hendricks struck a 51-ball 87 but lack of support from the other end meant that South Africa were bowled out for 147. Matthew Forde and Gudakesh Motie bagged three wickets apiece.
Asked to bat, West Indies were off the blocks quickly thanks to King who dealt in regular boundaries. Johnson Charles, who contributed only 1 in the opening stand worth 36, was dismissed in the fourth over by Ottniel Baartman. But there was no stopping King as he brought up his 10th T20I fifty, off only 26 deliveries, to power West Indies to 64/1 in the powerplay. The captain struck six maximums during his stay while Kyle Mayers also cleared the fence regularly as West Indies crossed the 100-run mark in the 10th over.
But West Indies lost regular wickets in the second half of their innings, with Andile Phehlukwayo (3-28) doing the bulk of the damage, as they slipped to 137/5 in the 15th over. Roston Chase scored a useful 32 not out but he took 30 deliveries for those runs as South Africa kept West Indies in check in the death overs with wickets, with only 32 coming off the last five. Baartman finished with 3-26.
