De Kock carries Proteas to victory in record breaking T20 clash

South Africa pulled off a stunning victory, spearheaded by opening batter Quinton de Kock, as they secured a spectacular six-wicket win over West Indies in a record shattering T20 International in Centurion.

Chasing an intimidating target of 259 runs to win, the Proteas got off to a thunderous start, with De Kock and Reeza Hendricks combining in a massive 158-run stand for the first wicket.

Record setter

De Kock raced to his half-century off 15 deliveries, racking up the fifth quickest T20I fifty and the fastest by a South African. He reached the milestone two balls quicker than he did against England in Durban three years ago, bettering his own national mark.

Raymon Reifer managed to stop the carnage in the 11th over when he had De Kock caught behind for 100 runs off 44 balls. His maiden T20I century, achieved at a strike rate of 227.27, included nine fours and eight sixes.

Carried home

Hendricks went on to make 68 off 28 deliveries at a strike rate of 242.85, smashing 11 fours and two sixes, but he too was eventually caught behind off a Rovman Powell delivery.

Proteas captain Aiden Markram then carried them home with seven balls to spare, contributing 38 not out.

It was the highest successful run chase in an international T20 game.

Earlier, after losing the toss and being sent in to bat, the tourists were given an early shake when opener Brandon King was removed by seamer Wayne Parnell with the third ball of the innings, but their top order then took control.

Johnson Charles and Kyle Mayers shared 135 runs for the second wicket before Marco Jansen had Mayers caught by Reeza Hendricks for 51 runs midway through the innings.

Running rampant

Once he was dismissed, however, Charles was completely rampant, racing to his first T20I century off just 39 balls. It was the fourth fastest ton by any player at international level in the short format and the quickest ever by a West Indies batter, breaking the national record held by Chris Gayle who needed 47 deliveries to reach the milestone against England in Mumbai at the 2016 T20 World Cup.

Charles was eventually bowled by all-rounder Jansen in the 14th over after making 118 runs off just 46 deliveries at a strike rate of 256.52. His remarkable innings featured 10 fours and 11 sixes.

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West Indies captain Powell, who made 28 runs, then combined in a 57-run stand for the fifth wicket with Romario Shepherd, who was unbeaten on 41, as the visitors reached 258/5.

Jansen was the best of the SA bowlers, returning 3/52 from his allotted four overs.

With the victory, South Africa levelled the three-match series at 1-1.

The final game will be played at the Wanderers tomorrow, starting at 6pm