Johannesburg served up chaos, drama, and a slice of Caribbean cool on 31 January 2026 as the third T20I of the West Indies tour of South Africa turned into a breathless, rain-shortened shootout at the Wanderers.
Dark clouds loomed early, but when play finally got underway, it was all urgency—just 10 overs a side, no time for easing in. South Africa, sent in to bat, tried to muscle their way out of trouble on a pitch offering pace and bounce. The ball skidded on, the boundaries were short, and every delivery felt like it mattered twice as much.
West Indies struck early and often. Their bowlers mixed sharp pace with clever changes, refusing to let the hosts run away with the innings. South Africa scrambled to 118/6 in 10 overs**, a total that looked competitive but not quite commanding. A couple of mistimed big shots and smart boundary riding in the deep kept the score just within reach.
Then came the rain—brief but influential—enough to bring the DLS calculator into play and tilt the equation. When the West Indies reply began, clarity arrived: 114 was the target.
The chase was tense, not flashy. Caribbean flair gave way to controlled aggression as wickets were preserved and the scoreboard kept ticking. South Africa sensed an opening when they struck, but the visitors never panicked. Singles were stolen, gaps found, and the pressure quietly shifted back onto the hosts.
As the final overs unfolded, the Wanderers buzzed with nervous energy. South Africa pushed, hustled, and threw everything into the field—but the West Indies stayed just ahead of the curve. When the last ball was bowled, the visitors stood at 114/3, six runs clear by DLS.
No wild celebrations—just raised arms, relieved smiles, and a calm acknowledgment of a job done.
In a match shaped by rain, urgency, and razor-thin margins, the West Indies proved sharper on the night, sealing a 6-run DLS victory and turning Johannesburg into the stage for a gritty, unforgettable T20I tale.