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WI vs SA | 4th T20I: Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard take series into decider

Somya Kapoor

West Indies bounced back in a perfect manner against South Africa in Grenada after beating the visitors by 21 runs in the fourth encounter to level the five-match series 2-2. 

South Africa who were handed a target of 168 runs in 20 overs were restricted to 146/9, courtesy some fine piece of bowling from Dwayne Bravo. 

Bravo scalped a four-wicket haul and returned with figures of 4/19 in 4 overs eventually. The Proteas never really looked in control as they lost wickets at regular intervals with only four players crossing the double-figure mark. 

Wicket-keeper batsman Quinton de Kock though showed some resistance as he chipped in with 60 off 43 in the innings but no other batsman made any valuable contribution and the side eventually suffered a defeat in this clash. 

Apart from Bravo, Andre Russell picked up a couple of wickets while Chris Gayle, Obed McCoy and captain Kieron Pollard had a wicket apiece to their name. 

Earlier, the hosts too had a disappointing start as they lost some early wickets but it was Lendl Simmons who tried to steady the ship for the side from one end. But the opener was eventually dismissed for 47 off 34 and Simmons departure saw a couple of quick wickets falling down again. 

West Indies were struggling at 101/6 when Pollard along with Fabian Allen took on the onus and hammered the South African bowlers all around the park. Pollard remained unbeaten at 25-ball 51 while Allen chipped in with 19* off 13 to take their team to 167/6 in 20 overs. 

For South Africa, it was George Linde and Shamsi who impressed with the ball. Both the bowlers picked up two wickets each for the side. 

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma expressed disappointment on giving away runs in the death overs. 

“I think looking at our bowling performances, we didn't hit the right straps. 60 odd runs in the last 4 put us on the back foot. Our spinners came to the fore and set it up for us. But at the death, we won't like to put up a display like this. Shamsi has been brilliant. George has been good,” he said after the match. 

West Indies captain Pollard who scored a vital fifty during the course hailed the bowlers. 

“In a game like this, you have to come out and win. Tried to give myself a chance and be there at the end. We speak about batting down till the end. The batters will continue rotating the strike. We were right into the game. We needed a few wickets in the PP. Chris picking up that wicket helped. Bravo and McCoy have been doing well for us. A total team effort. Dwayne has been phenomenal,” he said. 

The two sides will now lock horns in the fifth and deciding T20I on Saturday at the same venue. 

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ENG vs SL | 2nd ODI: All-round performance hands England unassailable 2-0 lead

England took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka after winning the second encounter by 8 wickets in London on Thursday. Chasing 242, the hosts went over the line in 43 overs after captain Eoin Morgan and Test skipper Joe Root stitched an unbeaten stand of 140 runs for the third wicket to see the side home. While Morgan remained unbeaten at 75 off 83, Root notched up 68* off 87. England had a decent start to the chase as Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow compiled 76 runs for the first wicket before Bairstow departed for 29 after he was cleaned up by Hasaranga while trying to cut a delivery. Later, Chamika Karunaratne scalped the priced wicket of Jason Roy for 60 after he was caught by Dhananjaya de Silva. But Morgan and Root made sure that there were no more fall of wickets. The duo began the proceedings in a cautious manner and then took on the Sri Lankan bowling attack. Earlier, Sri Lanka witnessed another batting collapse right at the start of the innings after they were reduced to 21/4 and were later left tottering at 86/5. But De Silva and Shanaka showed some resistance against the England bowling attack and the two batsmen put up a partnership of 78 runs for the sixth wicket. Dhanajaya eventually departed for 91 off 91 while Shanaka was later undone for 47 off 67. The lower order also made some important contributions but they went in vain as Sri Lanka suffered another defeat on this England tour. England fast bowlers Sam Curran and David Willey ripped through the Lankan batting order. Curran returned with a fifer during the course while Willey bagged a four-wicket haul as the visitors were restricted to 241/9 in 50 overs eventually. Kusal Perera expressed his disappointment at the failure of the top order with the bat. “Very hard for the lower order to get many once the top order fails that way. Dhananjaya played very well. We want to finish on a winning note,” he said. England captain Eoin Morgan was back in form with a brilliant fifty in the second ODI. Talking about his contribution after the match, Morgan said that he was delighted to take his team to a win and also lauded the efforts from Curran and Willey with the ball and the way Roy began the proceedings with the bat. “Delighted to score runs and make contribution to a series win. Left-arm seamers swung the ball and started so well. The wicket then slowed down. Roy, Bairstow at the top and Root batting at 3.. Good day all along. Not thinking about your batting as a captain seems to be working for me. We will see more changes in the final ODI with an eye on the Pakistani series as well. Always looking to grow and get better,” Morgan said. The two teams will now play the third and final ODI on Sunday in Bristol.