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De Kock’s century in 100th T20 powers S Africa to series win
Quinton de Kock celebrated his 100th T20 international in style, smashing a brilliant century to lead South Africa to a seven wicket win over the West Indies on Thursday and secure the series with a match to spare.
De Kock produced a career best 115 off just 49 balls, using a borrowed bat from teammate Dewald Brevis, as South Africa chased down a challenging 222 run target with ease. Fellow left hander Ryan Rickelton supported him with an unbeaten career best 77 off 36 balls, finishing the match with 15 balls remaining.
The pair tore into the West Indies bowling, adding rapid runs and maintaining a scoring rate of 12 an over as South Africa reached 225 for 3 in just 18.3 overs. Together they dismantled the chase in 11.5 overs.
South Africa captain Aiden Markram praised both batters, calling de Kock’s innings special for the crowd and crediting Rickelton for calmly guiding the team home for a second match in a row.
Earlier, the West Indies had posted an imposing 221 for 4. Shimron Hetmyer top scored with 75 off 42 balls, striking heavily through the boundary, while opener Brandon King made 49. Sherfane Rutherford added late momentum with an unbeaten 57, sharing a 76 run stand with Romario Shepherd.
Spinner Keshav Maharaj stood out for South Africa with figures of 2 for 22, a spell Markram later said prevented the target from rising to 240 or more.
De Kock reached his fifty from just 21 balls and brought up his hundred off 43 deliveries, hitting 10 sixes and six fours before falling while attempting another big hit. Rickelton, dropped early on 17, played the supporting role before accelerating to finish the chase in style with nine fours and three sixes.
South Africa, who had lost five straight bilateral T20 series before this contest, clinched the series 2-0, giving coach Shukri Conrad his first T20 series victory. The third and final match will be played on Saturday before both teams turn their focus to the upcoming T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, reports UNB.