Rain prematurely ended the first T20I between West Indies and South Africa in Antigua. South Africa won the toss and elected to bat, ending on 135/3 thanks to starts from Lizelle Lee (30), Marizanne Kapp (36), and Laura Wolvaardt (35).
Lee combined in an opening partnership of 31 from 26 balls with captain Dane van Niekerk (15), before the skipper found Anisa Mohammed with a sweep shot off the bowling of Hayley Matthews (1/27).
Kapp entered to tick things along with Lee in a 45-run stand only ended when the latter was run out. A sharp Britney Cooper teamed up with ‘keeper Kycia Knight to end the promising partnership.
South Africa have posted 135/3 from their allotted overs. As Kapp fell to Mohammed (1/23) for 36, Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits accelerated at the death, with Wolvaardt’s 35 coming from just 21 deliveries, with two fours and two sixes. Brits finished with 14* from 11 balls, as the pair added 48 from just 29 deliveries to lift the total over 130. Three West Indies bowlers finished with economy rates of under a run-a-ball.
As the weather threatened, Deandra Dottin was forced to retire hurt, and Hayley Matthews fell to Kapp (1/15), caught behind by Trisha Chetty. Rain forced an end to the match with the hosts 21/1 after 2.5 overs. The second match of the series will be held on Thursday. (ICC)