Rashada Williams

It was a good night for England’s skipper Heather Knight who batted superbly to lead them to their third successive victory.

With a number of well-timed strokes on both sides of the wicket, she made 43 off 27 balls. Earlier opener Sophia Dunkley set the platform with the top score with 44 off 31 balls to lead England to 157-6 off their 20 overs.

In the second half Charlie Dean was the nemesis for the home side as she returned figures of 4-1-19-4 to put a pause on the West Indies victory charge. West Indies were at one stage 103-3 in the 14thover – with 53 needed off six overs – but Dean delivered a winning spell when she dismissed key batters and West Indies finished at 140-8 off their 20 overs.

The key wicket was skipper Hayley Mathews who played some powerful shots in 35 off 31 balls before she was stumped by Amy Jones off Dean. Matthews looked good touch much to the delight of her fans in the stands with six boundaries – which included two classic extra cover drives.

The innings was revived in the middle overs by Rashada Williams and Trishan Holder, on debut in front of her home crowd.

Williams hit five fours in a top score of 38 off 29 balls and looked capable of pulling off a remarkable win. She was, however, trapped leg-before at a crucial stage of 138-7 at the end of the 19th over. The 19-year-old Holder overcame a nervous start to blossom with some attractive shots as she made a run-a-ball 21 in a stand of 40 with Williams.

Despite the loss, West Indies Women's head coach, Courtney Walsh was pleased with the team's performance.

“The effort we've shown in the last two games, in particular this one, is very pleasing. It's also good that we've got some youngsters around who are showing the fight,” he said.

“We're trying to create a different team culture and approach and learning is taking place all the time. It's a loss in terms of the series but I am pleased with what I am seeing with the bigger picture of what lies ahead for the tri-series and World Cup.

Another action-packed match-up is expected on Sunday when the teams meet for the fourth contest on this series. West Indies will need to bounce back in their bid to get a victory over the visitors. First ball is 6pm (5pm Jamaica Time).

In just her fourth international, the 24-year-old Williams once again showed enterprise with an impressive innings of 42, but the home team were limited to 150-9 off their 50 overs chasing 185-6 made by South Africa, who were asked to take first strike

This result means the visitors have a 4-0 lead in the five-match series. The final match will be played on Sunday at the same venue.

West Indies Women were in early trouble at 19-2 in the seventh over but made a recovery through Williams who added 29 for the third wicket with Deandra Dottin (22). Williams then helped add 22 for the fourth wicket with Hayley Matthews (14) and 41 for the fifth with left-hander Kycia Knight (15).

Williams set up anchor with four fours off 90 balls and when she was run out in the 39th over, West Indies Women were 115-5 and facing a required run rate of nearly seven runs per over, which proved to be too much in the end.

South Africa captain and leg-spinner Dane van Niekerk finished with 3-23 to be named the CG Insurance Player-of-the-Match.

Earlier in the day, sent in after an early morning shower, South Africa Women stumbled initially but recovered to reach their eventual target thanks to an unbeaten 65 with five fours from Mignon du Preez, 30 from Tazmin Brits and 28 from keeper Sinalo Jafta.

They lost the in-form Laura Wolvaardt for one with as many on the board in the second over but rebuilt through Brits who put on 35 for the second wicket with Lara Goodall (8) and a further 21 for the third wicket with skipper van Niekerk (20).

Brits, who struck four fours, perished in the 20th over with South Africa Women on 57-3 but the experienced du Preez anchored three key stands to frustrate the home side.

Firstly, she posted 31 for the fourth wicket with van Niekerk, then added 30 for the fifth with Chloe Tryon (12) before putting on 63 for the seventh with Jafta.

West Indies bowlers again did a good job with Captain Anisa Mohammed taking two wickets, while seamer Cherry-Ann Fraser was steady, taking her first wicket on debut.