South Africa will aim to seal the three-match T20I series when they take on the West Indies in the second encounter at SuperSport Park, Centurion, on Thursday, January 29. The hosts head into the game full of confidence after a dominant showing in the series opener at Paarl. After opting to field first, South Africa applied early pressure, reducing the West Indies to 95/5 by the 12th over. Late resistance from Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, and stand-in skipper Roston Chase helped the visitors post a fighting 173/7.

In reply, South Africa’s batters made light work of the chase with fluent strokeplay. The openers raced through the Powerplay, putting the West Indies bowlers under immediate pressure. Although Lhuan-dre Pretorius fell after a brisk 44 off 28 balls, Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton ensured there were no further hiccups, guiding the Proteas to victory with ease in 17.5 overs. Markram led from the front with an unbeaten 86 off 47 deliveries. The West Indies will hope regular captain Shai Hope returns, as they seek a stronger showing to keep the series alive.

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SA vs WI, 2nd T20I: Live Streaming Details

SA vs WI, 2nd T20I: Probable Playing XI

South Africa (SA):

Aiden Markram (C), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Ryan Rickelton (WK), Dewald Brevis, Rubin Hermann, Jason Smith, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka.

West Indies (WI):

Shai Hope (C & WK), Johnson Charles, Brandon King, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Matthew Forde, Jayden Seales.

South Africa and West Indies are set to clash in the opening T20I of their three-match series on Tuesday, January 27, with Boland Park in Paarl hosting the contest. The Proteas come into the series after a challenging five-match T20I assignment against India, where they lost 1-3, with one game abandoned due to rain. Led by Aiden Markram, South Africa will be keen to bounce back strongly and build momentum, especially with the T20 World Cup drawing closer.

The West Indies, meanwhile, arrive after a narrow 1-2 defeat in a three-match T20I series against Afghanistan held in Dubai earlier this month. Their campaign in that series was hampered by the absence of key players, including regular skipper Shai Hope and in-form batter Sherfane Rutherford, who were engaged in the SA20 league. With more of their senior players now available, the Caribbean side will aim to put up a stronger challenge against the hosts.

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SA vs WI, 1st T20I: Live Streaming Details

SA vs WI, 1st T20I: Probable Playing XI

South Africa (SA):

Aiden Markram (C), Ryan Rickelton, Quinton de Kock (WK), Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Jason Smith, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje.

West Indies (WI):

Shai Hope (C & WK), Johnson Charles, Brandon King, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Springer.

West Indies have unveiled a strong and experienced 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, placing their faith in Shai Hope to lead the two-time champions in the global showpiece to be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.

The squad reflects a clear shift from the second-string side that recently featured in the T20I series against Afghanistan in the UAE. Several senior players return to bolster the core, giving the side a far more settled and battle-hardened look. Big hitters Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, and Sherfane Rutherford headline a powerful batting group, while Hope’s own form has been encouraging after scoring a century in the SA20 for Pretoria Capitals.

All-round depth boosts Windies, but bowling depth and consistency remain key concerns

West Indies appear well-stocked in all-round options, with Jason Holder, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, and Matthew Forde offering balance with both bat and ball. The bowling attack combines experience and raw pace, led by left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein and exciting quick Shamar Joseph, with support from Jayden Seales and Gudakesh Motie. However, questions remain over bowling depth, and the Caribbean side may need their attack to punch above its weight against stronger batting line-ups.

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Veteran opener Evin Lewis misses out after a disappointing return against Afghanistan, while only a handful of players from that series - such as Johnson Charles and Brandon King, retain their places. Overall, the squad leans heavily on players who have proven themselves across franchise leagues worldwide, underlining West Indies’ continued reliance on T20 specialists.

Drawn in Group C alongside England, Scotland, Nepal, and Italy, West Indies begin their campaign against Scotland at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, before a crucial clash with England in Mumbai. With the top two teams advancing, consistency will be key as the Windies chase a third T20 World Cup title.

West Indies Squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

Shai Hope (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd.

The Women's T20 Blaze started with a strange and disorganized first over which prompted people to discuss and examine the quality of play and the management and the referee decisions in West Indies women's domestic cricket.

Extras-filled over turns contest into a non-event within minutes

The match between Jamaica Women and Windward Islands Women at Arnos Vale Stadium reached its peak during the fifth place play-off when a single over extended to 21 pitches which resulted in 44 runs. The over produced an extraordinary number of wides and no-balls which resulted in 22 runs from three valid pitches, which caused both supporters and analysts to become astonished.

Jamaica achieved an unbroken 44 runs during their initial batting period before they successfully reached their target of 65 runs without losing any wickets, therefore they needed only 3.4 overs to secure their fifth place victory. The victory margin showed a complete dominance of the match because the team won by 10 wickets while still having 98 balls remaining to play.

A 21 ball over in the T20 blaze

Jamaica Women 44/0 after 1 over.

I've seen it all now. We need to pack WI cricket up pic.twitter.com/d3VJUh6wFj

— Caribbean Cricket Podcast (@CaribCricket) January 23, 2026

The public on social media platforms reacted immediately and harshly to the situation. The over clips became popular online, leading many fans to call the match "farcical" while they doubted how such mistakes could happen during professional domestic matches. The fans who watched the over complete breakdown of order from players and officials, which led them to suspect that there were hidden problems with match management and player training and administrative authority.

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Incident reignites debate over governance and structures in West Indies cricket

The evidence needs to show wrongdoing before the case can proceed to its next stage of investigation. The episode has exposed serious problems which West Indies cricket must resolve through its domestic cricketing framework. 

Cricket West Indies needs to review its umpiring standards, player development pathways, and tournament management because of the increasing demand for such changes. The women's game in the region faces difficulty because historical moments from the region's cricketing past threaten to damage both its credibility and its development. The placement match which should have happened as a routine event has turned into a major conflict which West Indies cricket needs to address.

The second T20I of the three-match series between Afghanistan and the West Indies will take place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, January 21. Afghanistan head into the contest with confidence after securing a convincing 38-run win in the series opener at the same venue. Batting first, the Rashid Khan-led side posted an imposing 181/3 in their 20 overs. Ibrahim Zadran remained unbeaten on 87 from 56 balls, while Darwish Rasooli added a composed 84 off 59, forming a dominant partnership that anchored the innings after an early wicket.

In response, the West Indies struggled to keep up with the required run rate and lost wickets at regular intervals. By the halfway mark of the chase, they were already five wickets down, leaving little room for recovery. Debutant Quentin Sampson was the top scorer with a brisk 30 off 24 balls, while a few others showed brief promise but failed to convert their starts. Afghanistan’s bowlers, led by Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, applied relentless pressure, with both spinners claiming two wickets each to seal a comfortable victory.

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AFG vs WI, 2nd T20I: Live Streaming Details

AFG vs WI, 2nd T20I: Probable Playing XI

Afghanistan (AFG):

Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan (c), Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi

West Indies (WI):

Brandon King (c), Evin Lewis, Johnson Charles (wk), Amir Jangoo, Shimron Hetmyer, Quentin Sampson, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales

New Zealand has announced its squad for the second Test against the West Indies in Wellington, and the big news is the return of all-rounder Glenn Phillips. With many senior players injured, the team has named a fresh 14-member group for the match starting Wednesday.

New Zealand had to make several changes because some key players are out with injuries. This Test gives them a chance to try a new combination while welcoming Phillips back into the side.

Phillips has not played Test cricket since the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year. A groin injury kept him away from the format for almost a year. His last Test was in December against England in Hamilton. His comeback is important, especially with several players missing in both batting and bowling.

Wicketkeeper Tom Blundell is injured, so young keeper Mitch Hay is likely to make his Test debut. In the fast-bowling department, uncapped pacers Kristian Clarke and Michael Rae join Jacob Duffy. Clarke and Rae have done well in domestic cricket and now get their chance at the international level.

Despite the changes, senior players like Kane Williamson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, and Rachin Ravindra are available. The first Test ended in a draw after a strong batting show from the visitors.

New Zealand squad:

Tom Latham (c), Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae, Rachin Ravindra, Blair Tickner, Kane Williamson, Will Young

West Indies squad:

Roston Chase (c), Jomel Warrican (vc), Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Brandon King, Johann Layne, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Ojay Shields

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An incredible knock by Justin Greaves. A double hundred in the 4th innings of the New Zealand vs West Indies 1st Test (NZ vs WI 1st Test) at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch finds its place in the pages of the cricket history book. Because of Greaves' unbeaten 202-run knock, West Indies saved the match, which ended in a draw. The double tonne by the all-rounder came while they were chasing a target of 531 runs on the final day of the match. Greaves encrypted his name as the only 7th batter to score a double hundred in the 4th innings of a Test match.

List of batters who scored double century in the 4th innings of a Test match:

1. George Headley vs England in 1930:

In 1930, West Indies legend George Headley scored 223 at Sabina Park in the 4th Test of the 1929–30 England tour of the West Indies. The double century helped the West Indies to win the game by an innings and 39 runs. It was their first-ever Test victory in cricket history. With the milestone knock, Headley became the first West Indian to score a Test double century.

2. Bill Edrich vs South Africa in 1939:

The South Africa vs England Test match is famously known as the "Timeless Test" in cricket history. In the match at Kingsmead, Durban, Bill Edrich registered 219 runs in the contest. The match ended in a draw after 10 days because the England cricket team had to leave the match to catch their ship home.

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3. Sunil Gavaskar vs England in 1979:

It was a 221-run innings from Sunil Gavaskar against England at The Oval in London. India was very close to winning the high-scoring match. For them, the target was 438 runs, and India, with the help from Gavaskar, scored 429/8 – match drawn.

4. Gordon Greenidge vs England in 1984:

A memorable win for the West Indies at Lord's. Gordon Greenidge got 214 not out with 29, and the West Indies eventually won the match by 9 wickets. They successfully chased down the target of 342. Richie Richardson was with Greenidge during the closing moment of the match.

5. Nathan Astle vs England in 2002:

The target was huge at the Jade Stadium (Lancaster Park), Christchurch. New Zealand scored 451 all out against the 550-run target. Nathan Astle alone registered 222. He completed his double hundred against 153 balls — a record that stood for many years. It was the highest score by a batter at no. 5 or lower in the 4th innings.

6. Kyle Mayers vs Bangladesh in 2021:

The match turned tough for the West Indies at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram. 210 not out from Kyle Mayers helped the visitors to win the match by 3 wickets. Mayers scored 210 runs with 20 fours and 7 sixes.

7. Justin Greaves vs New Zealand in 2025:

A modern-day classic from Justin Greaves. In front of a target of 531, he scored an unbeaten 202 off 388 with 19 boundaries. The 5th-day fight led the match to a draw as the West Indies scored 457/6 before the end of the match.

Cricket's pinnacle and ultimate format - 'The Test' - is stunning. It has several dimensions associated with it that make it second to none, and glorify its aesthetics. From the tough grind of five days, braving variable conditions and the ebbs and flows, to the sheer intensity of battles, the format is synonymous with life. It examines the players on their skills, tenacity, patience and perseverance. The real growth in a player occurs when the performance at the elite level is matched with consistency, and the red ball game is a great teacher of that subject. 

One such beautiful aspect of the longest format of the game is 'Pace Bowling'. Speed, thrill, goosebumps, fieriness, aggression, lethality, impact, etc, are some of the superlatives that describe it. Further, proverbs like 'Smell the Leather', 'Perfume Ball', 'Chin Music', among others, have been used as colloquial sayings in Test Cricket. They are all its indispensable parts.

A bowler, adorning the whites, marking his run-up, striding ahead with firm steps, the ball like a red cherry in his hands, arriving at the wicket and the popping crease, extending his levers, snapping his wrist, releasing the ball with immense pace to kiss the surface, and then that ball reaching the batter like a tracer-bullet, is a sight to behold.

Add to that the crowd rooting for him, and the entire scenario becomes a spectacle and a piece of art. It would be perfect to call it 'Poetry in Motion', after all, it's merely about rhythm, flow, momentum and resonance. The better these are, the higher the chances of the ball obeying the bowler's commands, making the batters dance accordingly with them. 

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This leads us to an intriguing question - 'Which has been the best pace bowling trio in the history of Test Cricket?' and how do numbers complement those players who are part of the said set. The eras that were decorated by their immaculate and fearful bowling, the comparison between them and their contemporary counterparts, and the legacy they had built for the current generations to take a cue from - all these shall aid in ranking the trios and provide an enriching insight into the folklore of bowling in Test Cricket. 

It is vital to mention that pace pairs are more common in a Test side. To support this assertion, one must look at the incisive swing bowling duo of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis of Pakistan, and the English pair of James Anderson and Stuart Broad. Finding and getting three such bowlers involved in the same team is a rarity. This includes only pure quicks and excludes fast bowling all-rounders.

However, in the 1970s-80s, the West Indies team were blessed and privileged to have a deadly bowling arsenal which was a pentad - a set of five. It was made up of the likes of Malcolm Marshall, Joel Garner, Michael Holding, Andy Roberts, and Colin Croft. They featured regularly and bowled in tandem. Back then, there used to be no respite from any end. The batters did not get any discounts, and each one of those who faced them was like a deer in the headlights. 

Marshall, Garner, Holding

The trio of Marshall, Garner and Holding played 26 Test matches together and amassed 331 wickets at a frightening average of 22.51. They operated as a group for a span of 7-8 years during the 1980s. Their fast bowling exploits brought glory to the West Indies, and consequently, the team ruled the game by a handsome margin over others. 

Ambrose, Bishop, Walsh

During the 1990s, the Caribbean Test Cricket team boasted a potent trio of fast bowlers in Ambrose, Bishop, and Walsh. They shared their 412 wickets almost identically and democratically. They are, in fact, believed to be more lethal than their predecessors. 

McGrath, Gillespie, Lee

At the start of the century, Australia dominated World Cricket with elegance and pride. At the heart of the matter were the trio of McGrath, Gillespie, and Lee. In 22 matches, they scalped 243 wickets at an average of 28.47, as a unit. Moreover, among those 22 games, they won 15 and lost just three. 

Flintoff, Hoggard, Harmison

Going neck and neck with their arch-rivals, Australia, England put across an impressive pace trio of Flintoff, Hoggard, and Harmison. During the same period and in 33 matches together, they struck 383 times. At home, they were almost unbeatable as they recorded 11 wins, 3 draws and just one loss. This included the famous Ashes series win in 2005. 

Steyn, Morkel, Philander

In the phase between 2011 and 2018, South Africa's red-ball bowling was spearheaded by three of the best quicks of this generation. Steyn breathed fire with his impeccable 'seam and swing' skills, Philander was consistently sharp, incisive and immaculate with his line and lengths, and Morkel extracted steep bounce courtesy of his height. As a combination, they were a nightmare for the opposition batters and were responsible for the Proteas holding the Test Mace during this period. Additionally, they ensured a perfect away record, winning 13 tests together, outside South Africa.  

Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood

Australia's current big three in Starc, Cummins, and Hazlewood have become the epitome of pace bowling and are recognised as ambassadors of Test Cricket. They bear a knack for searching for different yet successful ways to challenge the batters. Their presence has made their home, Down Under, a fortress and difficult to breach. Each one of them has bagged more than 150 wickets in 38 matches together, so far. Cumulatively, they have hunted down 466 batters by victimising them at an effectively paltry average of 24.50. 

Boult, Southee, Wagner

The New Zealand trio of Boult, Southee, and Wagner are statistically head and shoulders above everyone else. Playing together, in 40 matches, the Kiwis relished and dismissed the opposition batters an astounding 535 times, making them perish at an average of 25.98. They also possess symmetrical bowling numbers. Further, their mean of 13.38 wickets, together, per game makes them, hands down, way ahead of all the other names mentioned. 

In a match filled with drama, twists, and late nerves, Alick Athanaze produced one of the standout moments of brilliance as the West Indies faced New Zealand in the third T20I in Nelson. Although the visitors eventually fell short by nine runs, Athanaze’s direct hit to run out Devon Conway was a moment that briefly turned the tide in their favour.

The dismissal came at a crucial stage of the innings. Conway, who had looked in sublime touch with 56 off 34 balls, was anchoring New Zealand’s innings alongside Daryl Mitchell. The hosts had just crossed 90 and were eyeing a total well above 180 when Mitchell pushed a delivery from Shamar Springer towards deep midwicket and called for two. Conway, backing his partner’s call, turned for the second but underestimated Athanaze’s speed and accuracy in the field.

Alick Athanaze’s brilliant direct hit to run out Devon Conway steals the spotlight in Nelson

Sprinting swiftly to his left, Athanaze picked up the ball cleanly and unleashed a flat, bullet throw to the non-striker’s end. The direct hit caught Conway inches short of his ground, a stunning piece of fielding that sent the West Indies players into celebration. The run-out not only removed New Zealand’s in-form batter but also halted their momentum just when they were threatening to explode in the final overs.

Watch the video:

Direct hit and gone! ☄️

Alick Athanaze hits bullseye from deep to send Conway packing 🤯 #SonySportsNetwork #NZvWI pic.twitter.com/x8iluCv3CW

— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) November 9, 2025

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Athanaze, who had earlier contributed a solid 31 with the bat, showcased his all-round value in the side. The direct hit exemplified his sharp awareness and athleticism, two traits that have made him one of the most promising young cricketers in the Caribbean setup.

Although New Zealand eventually posted 177 for 9, Athanaze’s run-out proved a turning point, sparking a middle-order collapse that saw the hosts lose six wickets for just 35 runs. It was only due to Conway and Mitchell’s earlier efforts that New Zealand had a defendable total on the board.

In the end, despite a late West Indies resurgence led by Romario Shepherd and Shamar Springer, the visitors fell agonizingly short. Yet, Athanaze’s moment of brilliance in the field stood out, a reminder that one piece of fielding can change the flow of a T20 game in an instant.