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• Tilak's unbeaten ton helps India take lead against South Africa

  Tilak Varma smashed an unbeaten 107 as India went 2-1 up in their T20I series against South Africa, claiming a nail-biting victory in Wednesday's third match in Centurion.

  Following their surprise defeat in Sunday's second match, the tourists bounced back to earn their 10th win in their last 12 outings in the format, putting them on the brink of a series triumph.

  Tilak was the star of the show as he produced comfortably the best score of his T20I career, surpassing a knock of 55 versus Bangladesh last year in some style, while only facing 56 balls.

  He hit eight fours and seven maximums to set South Africa a target of 220 for victory, with Abhishek Sharma scoring 50 from 25 deliveries in support before Keshav Maharaj broke their partnership in the ninth over.

  Despite six of India's batsmen scoring 18 runs or fewer and four – Sanju Samson (0), Suryakumar Yadav (1), Rinku Singh (8) and Axar Patel (1) – being limited to single figures, the damage had largely been done already.

  South Africa were then dropped to 84-4 within their first 10 overs as Varun Chakravarthy claimed the crucial wickets of Reeza Hendricks (12) and Aiden Markram (29).

  Heinrich Klaasen's incredible 54 off 17 balls dragged South Africa back into contention, and they required 18 runs from four deliveries in a grandstand finish, but Arshdeep Singh trapped the hosts' dangerman lbw to secure India's victory.

  Having fallen short of their target by just 11 runs, the Proteas must now win Friday's fourth match to salvage a 2-2 draw from the series.

  Data Debrief: Big-hitting India on the brink

  Tilak recorded a strike rate of 191.07 while Abhishek was at 200.00 as their early partnership powered India towards victory.

  India have now hit over 200 sixes in T20I matches this calendar year, only previously surpassing that figure in the format in one previous year – recording 289 in 2022.

• Windsor Estates partners with Global Super League

  Windsor Estates, Guyana’s leading luxury home designer, will be supporting the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL). They will be using the platform of the GSL to promote their latest project, Windsor Laguna.

  The Windsor Laguna project will leave a permanent mark on Guyana`s real estate landscape. The project, located in the greater Ogle area and consisting of 110 acres, is centred around a revolutionary five-acre blue water lagoon, unrivalled recreational facilities, and resort-style amenities, including a 25,000-square-foot clubhouse and state-of-the-art home design options meant to leave an impression. This chic gated community is intended to be comparable with any luxury gated community in North America.

   Danny Sawh, Chairman and CEO, Windsor Estates, said: “I am delighted to support the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League and the vision for Guyana to have a world-class sports event of its own. Just as the GSL brings top cricketers from around the world to our shires, so Windsor Estates brings global standards of residential design and construction to Guyana.”

   Sir Clive Lloyd, Chairman of the GSL, said: "I am delighted to welcome the first Guyanese company to sponsor this exciting new event. Many thanks to Windsor Estates, and we look forward to more support from the corporate community of Guyana as we seek to make the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League an outstanding success."

   

   

• Buttler 'enjoyed' setting England on way to second West Indies win

  Jos Buttler "enjoyed" being back out in the middle after powering England to a seven-wicket victory over West Indies in the second T20I.

  The captain scored 83 off 45 balls, hitting eight fours and six sixes in his knock, as he turned the game back in England's favour, having been taken for a golden duck in his first match back from injury last time out.

  West Indies struggled to gain momentum early on, with Rovman Powell's 43 settling them somewhat after a shaky start, but Saqib Mahmood (2-20), Liam Livingstone (2-16) and Dan Mousley (2-29) kept England in a good position, helping keep their target down as the hosts finished on 158-8.

  The chase got off to the worst possible start though, as Phil Salt was dismissed on the first ball, but Buttler stepped in to put up a 129-run stand with Will Jacks before they were both dismissed by Romario Shepherd in the 13th over.

  Livingstone (23) and Jacob Bethell (3) then helped get the tourists over the line, reaching 161 with 31 balls remaining to extend their series lead to 2-0.

  Buttler was pleased to find his rhythm this time around but is already looking ahead to how they can stay in control in the third match.

  "It is great to spend time in the middle. I was a bit scratchy for the first few balls, but I managed to come through that period and really enjoyed it. It was great to be back out there," Buttler told TNT Sports.

  "I have lots of experience, I have played for a while and batted in lots of different positions. I am just waiting to see what happens and playing what is in front of me.

  "We have got to start again [in the third T20I of the series]. We are playing a top team in the West Indies, who are excellent in T20 cricket. They will come back hard, and we have to be ready from ball one in the next game."

  West Indies stumbled through the powerplay, losing their first three wickets in the first four overs for just 35 runs.

  Powell was disappointed not to make a better start, pointing out that they gave themselves a mountain to climb.

  "Obviously the surface gave a bit to the fast bowlers, something that is a trend here in Barbados," he said. Teams generally win the toss and bowl because of what can happen in the first six [overs].

  "It's a case of us trying to come out of powerplay not three down. The statistics show that if you do that, the majority of the time you come out on the losing side. As a batting group, we have to adjust.

  "Somebody in the top four or five needs to bat the majority of the overs. In the past, we have done that but have struggled to do that in this series. The next three games provide an opportunity for batters to do that."