South Africa pips WI to reach WC semi-finals

South Africa’s Tabraiz Shamsi celebrates a dismissal 

South Africa held its nerve to edge the West Indies by three wickets under the Duckworth-Lewis method in a rain-disrupted shootout for a semi-final spot at the ICC Twenty20 World Cup in Antigua yesterday.

The unbeaten Proteas joined England in the last four as Group 2 winners when Marco Jansen (21 not out) smashed a six down the ground off the first ball of the final over to get South Africa to its adjusted target of 123.
Left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi had earlier taken three for 27 as tournament co-hosts the West Indies were restricted to 135 for eight before the rainstorm swept in to stop play.

Spinner Roston Chase (3-12) took three wickets late in the South African innings to set up a dramatic finish and give a glimmer of hope that the West Indies might keep alive their quest for a third title.

Earlier, the South Africans won the toss and elect to bowl first in a decision that was quickly vindicated when danger men Shai Hope and Nicholas Pooran were dismissed inside the first two overs with just five runs on the board.

Kyle Mayers, brought into the West Indies squad as an injury replacement on Saturday, steadied the innings in a partnership of 81 for the third wicket with Chase.

Both had some fraught moments - Chase was dropped on 11 and Mayers survived an lbw call on review - before Shamsi separated them in the 12th over when Mayers slashed the ball to Tristan Stubbs at deep cover point to depart for 35.

That was the last partnership of note in an innings of fits and starts, Chase (52) and Sherfane Rutherford (0) falling victim to Shamsi’s wrist spin and Andre Russell thumping a couple of big sixes before being run out for 15.

The West Indies knew it was under-par and needed a big bowling effort and Russell gave them a great start.
He struck with the first delivery of the innings to remove Reeza Hendricks caught behind down the leg side before having the other South Africa opener, Quinton de Kock, caught at backward square leg for 12 five deliveries later.
The crowd at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium came to life but any momentum the West Indies had built was lost when the skies opened immediately and play was delayed for 90 minutes.

Stubbs and Markram resumed on 15 for two and took the tally to 42 before local quick Alzarri Joseph struck with his second delivery to remove the captain for 18.

Joseph’s pace did for Heinrich Klaasen (22) in the eighth over but the other West Indies bowlers were proving expensive and the South Africans were now just a run-a-ball away from their target.

Chase came on in the 12th over to bowl David Miller for four and then sent back Stubbs (29) and Keshav Maharaj (2) and ensured the chase went into the 17th and final over.

Chief scores: 
West Indies: 135/8 in 20 overs (Roston Chase 52, Kyle Mayers 35, Tabraiz Shamsi 3/27) 
South Africa: 124/7 in 16.1 overs (Tristan Stubbs 29, Roston Chase 3/12, Andre Russell 2/19). 
Agencies