Xtra Time Web Desk: A maiden T20 International(T20I) century by Quinton de Kock underpinned a record-breaking chase by the Proteas as they levelled the T20I series 1-1 against West Indies at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Sunday.
The left-hander blasted exactly 100 balls (44 balls, 9 fours, 8 sixes) – the second fastest by a South African and joint-sixth fastest ever – as the hosts pulled off a remarkable chase of 259, the highest ever recorded in the international game, reaching the target with seven balls to spare.
Along the way, De Kock also reached 50 in just 15 balls, becoming the fastest by a Protea to reach that landmark as he surpassed his own mark of 17 balls against England in Durban in 2020.
His feat came after Johnson Charles had earlier gone even quicker when he reached 100 in just 39 balls on his way to 118 (46 balls, 10 fours, 11 sixes) that helped the tourists amass 258 for five.
But that total failed to deter the South Africans as they won what turned out to be comfortably to ensure the series goes to a decider in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
It was a remarkable game that saw all the bowlers punished, with Kagiso Rabada’s none for 39 in four overs proving the most economical after the home side had won the toss and opted to bowl first.
The visitors lost Brandon King (1) early when he was dismissed by Wayne Parnell (2/43), before Charles and Kyle Mayers (51 off 27 balls, 5 fours, 4 sixes) combined for a 135-run second wicket stand that left their side on 137 for one just on the halfway mark. Although the latter then departed followed shortly after by Nicholas Pooran (2), both to Marco Jansen (3/52), Johnson continued the carnage to become the fastest man from his country to reach three figures and joint second overall.
He also fell to pick of the bowlers Jansen, but captain Rovman Powell (28 off 19 balls), Romario Shepherd (41* off 18 balls) and Odean Smith (11*) drove their side to a record high score at SuperSport Park.
South Africa’s reply got off to a dream start thanks to De Kock and Reeza Hendricks, who also played his part in the sensational chase by scoring 68 off just 28 balls (11 fours, 2 sixes). The pair put on 152 together, the fourth biggest of all time for South Africa. They also scored a stunning 102 in the powerplay and 149 in the first 10 overs, the highest ever in T20Is.
De Kock eventually fell in the 11th over and there was still significant work to do. Rilee Rossouw kept the pace with 16 off just four balls, before he fell along with Hendricks to threaten the course of the game.
But captain Aiden Markram, helped by Heinrich Klassen (16* off 7 balls), kept his cool with a rather calm 38 not out off 21 balls to take their side to victory with more than an over to spare.