ST GEORGES, Grenada – West Indies outplayed South Africa to take a 1-0 lead in the CG Insurance T20 Series on Saturday.
The two-time T20 World Champions won by eight wickets with a whopping 30 balls to spare at the Grenada National Stadium. Evin Lewis led the charge – he hit seven massive sixes to score 71 off 35 balls in an opening partnership of 85 with Andre Fletcher, who made 30 on his home soil.
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Lewis was named the CG Insurance Player-of-the-Match.
The destructive opener said:
“I always have confidence. This is an excellent pitch for batting here in Grenada. Once I see balls in my areas, I try to hit it, but also to play it smart and look for the singles as well.
I tried to give a good start with Fletcher in the powerplay overs. If I score 70-something and the teams wins … I’m happy,” “It’s a pretty good start, getting a winning start is very good for us.”
Lewis puts on a T20 masterclass with the bat to secure the 1st victory in the CG Insurance T20I Series. #WIvSA
Match Report⬇️https://t.co/d1yKp8DwVz
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After the openers fell, Andre Russell and Chris Gayle took the home side to victory with an unbroken partnership of 37 in three overs. Playing his 50th T20I for West Indies, the talismanic Russell smashed his first ball for six into the Murray/Lewis Stand. He ended the match with another superb maximum as the West Indies sped to 161-2 off 15 overs. He ended on 23 not out, while Gayle made 32 not out.
The two teams return to the same venue on Sunday for the second CG Insurance T20 International. First ball is 2 pm (1 pm Jamaica Time).
