WIC VS SAC MATCH 2

Phew. All that delay for such a sheer entertaining game of cricket. But, in all honesty, we were all in for it, weren't we? This brings us to the close of the second match of WCL 2025. But worry not, as there's more action lined up for all of you. If this game was a thriller, the next one promises to be even more intense. It is time for the white-ball Ashes as Australia Champions take on England Champions at the same venue at Edgbaston. The toss for that game is just around the corner. You can simply switch tabs and follow all the live action from that game. But from this matchcenter, it's goodbye! Take care!

The skipper of South Africa Champions, AB de Villiers, mentions that it was a tricky, two-paced wicket which made it difficult to build any momentum. He adds that batting first helped West Indies Champions understand the conditions better and adapt with the ball. De Villiers shares that he watched yesterday’s game, where hitting straight was a challenge, so he advised his bowlers to keep it full. He also says it’s been amazing to be part of this tournament.

The captain of West Indies Champions, Chris Gayle, acknowledges that the South African bowlers executed well in the Powerplay, and admits that losing early wickets was a setback for his side. He adds that the spinners then tightened the screws further in the middle phase. Reflecting on the bowl-out, Gayle shares that while some of the players have experienced it before in New Zealand, they just couldn’t get it right on the night.

South Africa Champions' JP DUMINY is adjudged as the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his crucial cameo of 25 (12). He mentions that it wasn’t an easy pitch to bat on, as it held up and played slower at times. He shares that having played against several of the West Indies players in the past, he had a fair idea of what to expect.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Earlier, after a nearly 3-hour delay due to rain, the game finally got underway and was reduced to an 11-over per side contest. The toss went South Africa's way, and AB de Villiers had no hesitation in opting to bowl first on a surface that had spent considerable time under covers. Lendl Simmons and Chadwick Walton showed some fight, but West Indies never really got out of second gear. The South African pacers, backed up well by the spinners, used their smarts to restrict the opposition to just 79. Ultimately, the game ended in a tie and was decided through a BOWL OUT. South Africa Champions won that Bowl Out by 2-0 and registered their first win of the season, albeit through a longer route.

The target adjusted to 81 due to DLS looked like a walk in the park for South Africa, but the bowlers of West Indies responded with a good fighting spirit. With the new ball doing just a bit too much to hold the batters off guard, Sulieman Benn struck two early wickets, of which one included AB de Villiers' name as well. Sarel Erwee and Hashim Amla did bring in some stability with a 48-run partnership, but once both fell in two consecutive deliveries off Fidel Edwards, the game flipped once again with the Windies holding the aces. However, JP Duminy chipped in with a handy cameo of 25 off just 12, but it was Edwards in the end who defended 8 runs with a top-class bowling effort.

Well, well, well. This is where the legends of the sport clash and it has surely lived up to its hype and promise with no side ready to give an inch. We are just a couple of matches into the tournament and both games so far have gone down to the wire. The first BOWL OUT in the history of WCL has been won by the South Africa Champions and they take the first two crucial points. Heartbreak for West Indies Champions as they almost knocked the Proteas out of the contest, but will have to settle for a defeat. However, it's all smiles in both camps as, ultimately, this is a treat for the fans from their legends.

Attempt 4 (WI) - Dwayne Bravo is up next. And he MISSES. A full ball drifts past the leg stump and it is all over for West Indies! South Africa Champions do it the hard way but come out winners with a 2-0 scoreline on Bowl Out.

Attempt 3 (WI) - Make that 0 from 3 attempts for West Indies. Ashley Nurse MISSES. A yorker that slides past the leg stump. It is sudden death now for West Indies.

Attempt 2 (WI) - Sheldon Cottrell MISSES as well by a small margin. A full ball that sneaks past the off stump. 0 from 2 attempts for West Indies.

Attempt 1 (WI) - Fidel Edwards with the first attempt and he MISSES the off stump by a whisker.

Time for West Indies' reply. They will need 3 hits from 5 balls to win the game.

Attempt 5 (SA) - Wayne Parnell is the last bowler and he HITS. Nails down the stumps with a yorker. South Africa's score is 2 from 5.

Attempt 4 (SA) - JJ Smuts to have a crack now. JJ HITS the middle stump with a full ball.

Attempt 3 (SA) - Hardus Viljoen MISSES. This one goes over the stumps.

Attempt 2 (SA) - Chris Morris is up next. He also MISSES. This on a length and well outside the off-stump.

Attempt 1 (SA) - Aaron Phangiso MISSES. From around the wicket, fuller in length, well wide of the off stump for a right-hander.

The toss has taken place and South Africa Champions have opted to have the first go. Each team will get five attempts in the bowl-out. So, South Africa will bowl their five deliveries first, and then West Indies Champions will have to try and better that.

... BOWL OUT ...