Summary: Markram, Hendricks steer SA towards target

South Africa v West Indies, T20 World Cup 2021: Live Scorecard

T20 World Cup, South Africa vs West Indies: Live updates from the ground

South Africa win! Markram was the breath of fresh air that they needed in the middle order, and he’s really done well to push them through. Van der Dussen stuck around to give him much-needed company, and together they played a chanceless knocks, choosing their battles well and ensuring the target was easily achieved.

Over 17: South Africa 133-2

A word on Aiden Markram, who has done so well to ease the pressure on van der Dussen. He loves to drive through the in-field and pull over midwicket, and he’s kept his game simple today.

With hardly any scoreboard pressure now, these two are uncorking some picturesque strokes through the gaps.

Over 15: South Africa 111-2: SA edge ahead as Windies’ WC hopes crumble

South Africa have done well to keep the pressure off themselves, even though the Windies have been extremely tight with their bowling. Bravo bowled a brilliant 14th over, giving away just two runs. Might just be too little too late for them though. Run-a-ball is all they need.

Over 11: South Africa 82-2 – SA build on platform laid by Hendricks

West Indies have slowed down SA here, rotating the spinners and keeping the fielding tight. Pollard himself is leading from the front: he’s pulled off some wonderful saves so far, and has now brought himself into the attack. Can he break this steady stand?

Over 8: South Africa 55-1 – Hendricks guides SA ahead

Really compact and neat strokeplay from Hendricks so far. Doesn’t look one bit flustered, enjoying the pace of the game, and is rotating the strike well, picking and choosing pockets to hit boundaries. There’s really nothing else to do right now.

ICYMI: More updates on the Quinton de Kock news

🇿🇦 Cricket South Africa (CSA) has noted the personal decision by South African wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock not to “take the knee” ahead of Tuesday’s game against the West Indies.

➡️ Full statement: https://t.co/cmEiA9JZy7 pic.twitter.com/4vOqkXz0DX

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 26, 2021

Over 5: South Africa 36-1, Hendricks builds momentum for SA

The powerplay is so important in this game, and Hendricks is doing well to keep the runs ticking. He’s running hard between wickets, choosing the right deliveries to take charge, and is unafraid to hit over the in-field.

Brave and smart cricket from Reeza Hendricks, not particularly an aggressive player, taking on an anti-matchup in the left-arm spinner. Someone had to take a risk to try and get runs off the Powerplay and get #SouthAfrica somewhat ahead of the game.#SAvWI🏏🇿🇦🌴#T20WorldCup

— Nakul Pande (@NakulMPande) October 26, 2021

Over 3: South Africa 17-1, Slow and steady after Bavuma’s early exit

Temba Bavuma might have been dismissed, but there’s enough batting still in store for South Africa. Pollard has put an aggressive field in place, keeping a deep square leg and deep midwicket, with Gayle stationed at slip, and Pollard himself in an attacking short mid-wicket position.

I’m backing West Indies to defend this. It could really be a close game, this one. They’ve got a host of bowling options who can thrive on this slow pitch, and Pollard really knows how to use his resources. Much depends on van der Dussen, who’s already in the middle after the first over.

We’ll be back in ten minutes with the chase.

Update: Pretorius, who hadn’t bowled until the 17th over, comes in and bowls a brilliant 20th over, and the West Indies are finishing well below where they would have projected at one point. Straight, fast, full, making it really hard for the batters to hit against.

Over 19: West Indies – 135-6 – Nortje leads SA’s fightback

South Africa have pulled things back really well here. Nortje, in particular, has been outstanding with his lines, properly stifling the Windies middle order. At one point, it felt like West Indies would go past 150, but a lot of full, past deliveries have negated some of Lewis’ early brilliance.

Update: Pollard and Russell together. Expect some fireworks against pace. South Africa have kept a fielder directly behind the bowler, but Pollard manages to still evade him with a thumping stroke down the ground, past the long-on fielder too. He’s so good. Three fielders manning the area in front of the sightscreen. That’s really all you can do as a captain.

It was bizarrely slow from Simmons today.

https://twitter.com/Rehan_ulhaq/status/1452955896565288962

Over 16: West Indies 112-3, Pollard-Gayle look to give Windies a final thrust

With time running out, Pollard clanks one over deep mid-wicket’s head to bring some life back into the Windies innings. Gayle, who was looking to get going at the other end, follows suit with another maximum down the ground. In a way, it’s worked for these two that the spinners are all but done with their overs.

What’s up with Lendl Simmons?

Pooran was sent up the order to get the run-rate up, but the spinners have done really well to keep South Africa tied down. It would be interesting to see what approach Gayle takes now – he usually starts pretty slow, and with Simmons at the other end playing like he is, it’s only going to get worse.

https://twitter.com/fwildecricket/status/1452919391193083908

Update: Lewis falls in an attempt to go for another big one over deep square leg. A fine, fine innings; good captaincy from Bavuma to keep persist with the spinner and keep attacking.

Over 10: West Indies 65-0 – Lewis continues to go big, Simmons struggles

Evin Lewis is having quite a time taking on the spinners. First, it was Makram, then Maharaj and now Shamsi. Simmons at the other end has been shockingly slow to begin with. South Africa still has things under control, but Lewis is making the most of the slow pitch and flighted offerings. The leg-side is packed with three fielders at the boundary for him.

Update: Simmons is really struggling here: in a way, undoing all the good work that Lewis has done so far. It’s really something that pushes the side back – if Simmons gets out here, in comes Gayle, who himself takes time to settle.

Overs 5: West Indies 36-0 – Lewis takes charge

Enough of sitting and waiting, says Lewis, and takes charge, targeting part-timer Markram with a flurry of boundaries. He really likes the midwicket-long-on patch, and rocks back to get some rhythm going. Simmons is struggling a bit at the other end.

Update: A statement from Cricket South Africa says: “After considering all relevant issues, including the position of the players, the Board felt that it was imperative for the team to be seen taking a united and consistent stand against racism, especially given SA’s history.

“Several other teams at the World Cup have adopted a consistent stance against the issue, and the Board felt it is time for all SA players to do the same.”

Over 2: West Indies 6-0 – Openers begin slow

Sluggish start from the Windies batters, as they get accustom themselves to the surface. Good ploy, I feel, to start with Markram first up. There’s a bit of turn too. Each dot ball will only add more pressure to an under-fire side.

Plenty will be discussed about de Kock’s decision to make himself unavailable for today’s game. We’ll keep you updated as and when we get more on it.

The anthems are done, the South Africa team has converged in the middle for a huddle and the West Indies players have gathered by the side of the boundary. CSA has issued a directive asking the men’s team to collectively take a knee before the remaining games of the T20 World Cup.

Players from both teams take the knee before the first ball. And it’s Aiden Markram who is starting the proceedings for SA.

13.45, local time: It’s baking hot in Dubai (I know, those who stay here will tell me it’s cooled down considerably since May). The players are back in their dugouts for a change of kits. The T20 World Cup trophy around the bowlers’ run-ups right now. Feels like it’s going to be one cracking game.

Toss update: South Africa win the toss and choose to field. Big update: Quinton de Kock is not playing. He has made himself unavailable for the game due to ‘personal reasons’. Reeza Hendricks is playing instead.

Hayden Walsh Jr is playing in place of Obed McCoy.

SA XI: Bavuma, Hendricks, van der Dussen, Markram, Klaasen, Miller, Pretorius, Maharaj, Rabada, Nortje, Shamsi.

WI XI: Lewis, Gayle, Simmons, Hetmyer, Pooran, Pollard, Russell, Bravo, Hosein, Walsh, Rampaul

We’re moments away from the toss, with the two players completely the pre-game formalities at the edge ground (read: photo-op, sheet exchanges). Either side will be desperate to get back to winning ways, having lost their opening games.

On a side note, it’s lovely to see South Africa’s pace battery get ready in the warm-up session: Rabada, Nortje and Ngidi, bowling by the side of the main pitch in tandem. Glorious sight.

Venue: Dubai International Stadium

Date: October 26

Start time: 2pm local time

Rassie van der Dussen speaks to Wisden.com

“I don’t think anyone can replace AB. However, I can be my own version. I can be Rassie. The best version of Rassie.”

South Africa’s new middle-order lynchpin talks to Rohit Sankar about his stellar start to international cricket and much else.

T20 World Cup 2021 South Africa squad: Full team list for SA

T20 World Cup 2021 West Indies squad: Full team list for WI

T20 World Cup 2021 SA vs WI: Where to watch live

India: Star Sports Network; Disney+ Hotstar

UK & Ireland: Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Mix; Sky Sports app, www.skysports.com

South Africa: SuperSport Cricket; www.supersport.com & the SuperSport app

West Indies: ESPN

The complete list of broadcast (TV and live streaming) options for the tournament can be found here.