Proteas post record T20 run chase to defeat West Indies in Centurion

The run-fest featured boundaries galore and two centurions, but the hosts cantered to victory with seven balls remaining to win by six wickets.

Proteas captain Aiden Markram whom the toss and elected to field and enjoyed early success when Wayne Parnell nicked off Brandon King for 1.

But that wicket brought in Johnson Charles, who would set up the West Indies' highest-ever T20 total almost single-handedly. The right-hander bludgeoned his century off just 39 balls under the glorious Centurion sun. He was supported by Kyle Meyers, who racked up 51 off 27 before falling victim to Marco Jansen bringing an end to a mammoth 135-run partnership from 58.

Charles went on to reach 118 - a total many will forget following the hosts' run chase - leaving the West Indies at 179/4 in just the 14th over. Romario Shepard added 41 off 18 to help the West Indies to a seemingly insurmountable total of 258/5.

But openers Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks were equal to the task, setting up a superb base for the record win. Going at a rate of knots, de Kock brought up his maiden T20 century, then fell to leave the Proteas on 152/1 in the tenth over.

Rilee Rossouw smashed 16 off four then silent assassin Hendricks (68 off 28) fell shortly after, giving the West Indies a chance. But new captain Markram steadied the ship, providing the final lusty blows to get his country over the line.

With the series level at 1-1, the Proteas face West Indies in the final T20 on Tuesday at the Wanderers.

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