Though pleased with aspects of their performance in the first Test against South Africa, West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite stressed the need for his team to step up their performance in the second Test as the two-match series hangs in the balance.

After securing a hard-fought draw in the first encounter in Trinidad and Tobago, Brathwaite is confident that his side can deliver a stronger showing in the decisive contest to clinch a 1-0 series win in Guyana and, more importantly, get points on the board to move up the ICC Test Championships standings. They are currently sitting at the bottom of the standings with a solitary win.

“I think it's important to get a good first-inning total; that is one thing we discussed as a batting group, and bowling, we just have to be disciplined. I think we were decent in the first game, and we just have to aim to be better,” Brathwaite said in a pre-game press conference.

Reflecting on the series opener, which was severely affected by rain, Brathwaite expressed a mixture of relief and determination, as his team was possibly staring down defeat before Alick Athanaze’s well-played knock of 92 and bad light intervened on the final day.

Alick Athanaze produced a tidy second-inning knock in the first Test. (AFP)

A number of West Indies batsmen had starts across both innings but failed to push on. The scores in that game were South Africa 357 and 173-3 declared, while the Caribbean side mustered 233 and 201-5.

"Obviously, we can’t control the weather. I think batting-wise, the first thing is the total. I think we could have put more runs on the board. So, as I said, I think that was a big focus of ours in terms of a good first innings total. And, you know, bowling wise, obviously pitch didn't offer much, especially for the fast boys. They didn't get much spin in the first innings as well,” Brathwaite shared.

“But I think we were quite disciplined. I was happy the guys scored out pretty much two runs on over for the innings, so I was happy with that. But I just think it's important, you know, to get a good all-round game. Batting wise, obviously we got to come to the party; first innings will be very crucial on this pitch, and then bowling wise, I think dot balls are very important,” he added.

The Barbadian also stressed the importance of maintaining pressure on South Africa, especially with the Providence pitch expected to be low and slow, similar to the one they encountered at Queens Park Oval last week. Should that be the case, Brathwaite believes a more resilient and focused effort will be crucial on this occasion.

In fact, the addition of Guyanese Shamar Joseph is an indication of West Indies’ aim to exploit the conditions as best as they can.

“It’s a similar type of surface to Trinidad, to be honest, in terms of slowness. Obviously, some of the Guyanese players on the team would know it better than most of the other players. So I think the communication between the guys has been good. We all know that it's the slowest pitch, so it's just to work out how, as individual players, we want to go about scoring runs and, obviously, bowling some good spells,” Brathwaite reasoned.

He continued: “From England, we have been discussing those matches that didn’t go as planned. We have one more test match until we get a little break before the next Test series, so it's important that we finish strong and we believe it.

“Obviously, in Trinidad, I was proud of the guys and how we went about the second inning; the guys were positive, and that was good to see. They had it in that, and so we are really pushing and aiming for victory in this last match.” 

Finally, Brathwaite had a few words of encouragement for Athanaze, as he believes this decisive game presents an opportunity for West Indies bastmen to demonstrate their growth and capability on the international stage.

“I would encourage him just to be himself. I think in the last game, you can see him sweeping a lot, and I know he's a very good sweeper of the ball, so it's a bit of the same. It's not for him to stop the shot, but just for him to execute better. He has the full support of all the guys, and it is just encouragement because we know he could get the job done,” the skipper ended.

West Indies captain Hayley Matthews produced another all-round masterclass to fire Welsh Fire into the knockout stages of The Hundred women’s tournament following a comprehensive nine-wicket win over cellar dwellers Southern Brave at the Utilita Bowl on Wednesday.

Matthews, who has been enjoying superb form for the Welsh Fire, was again on song, as she captured 4-14 in 20 balls to restrict Southern Brave to 103 before hammering an unbeaten 26-ball 35 to get her franchise across the line at 106-1 with 26 balls to spare. Captain Tammy Beaumont was also left unbeaten as she topscored with 59 off 40 deliveries.

With the win, Welsh Fire are now in a strong position, due to their superior net run rate, to finish in top spot and qualify automatically for the Hundred final at Lord's on Sunday. Oval Invincibles require a convincing win over Trent Rockets on Wednesday afternoon to leapfrog them.

Scores: Southern Brave 103 all out (100 balls); Welsh Fire 106-1 (74 balls)

“I think we've been really good. When you look at our line-up, we've got a lot of experience, and we've played on that really well,” Matthews said in a post-game interview.

“The bowlers have done a really good job at making sure we don't have to chase too big of a total. I think it's been a complete team performance, and that's where we've performed really well; everyone's been chipping in and playing their role,” she added.

After Beaumont inserted Southern Brave at the toss, Matthews dismissed the in-form Danni Wyatt (two), caught at deep midwicket, before Smriti Mandhana (one) departed four balls later to the pace of Shabnim Ismail to leave the Brave 15 for 2 at the end of the PowerPlay.

Whatever hopes Southern Brave had of repairing the damage were dashed when Jess Jonassen had Georgia Adams (six) stumped. Maia Bouchier (10) was Matthews’ second scalp, brilliantly caught by Phoebe Franklin in the deep, before Freya Kemp (two) knicked one behind to give Jonassen her second wicket.

Matthews got her third when she bowled Naomi Dattani (two) and then completed her allotment with the scalp of Kalea Moore (zero), as Southern Brave were in totters at 47 for 7.

Chloe Tyron was the only bright spark of the innings, as she posted an aggressive 38-ball 55, including seven fours and a solitary six at the backend, as she dominated a 52-run eight-wicket stand with wicketkeeper Rhianna Southby (15).

Matthews’ haul was supported by Jess Jonassen (3-21) and Freya Davies (2-14).

Despite losing Sophia Dunkley (seven) to Lauren Bell early, the result was never in doubt for Welsh Fire, as Beaumont was especially strong on anything loose, working the field with sweeps and cuts, while Matthews picked the gaps behind square in a 72-run stand off a mere 54 balls.

Beaumont raised her half-century in just 31 balls in a knock that had 10 boundaries, while the Barbadian, Matthews, struck five boundaries in her knock as Welsh Fire continue to blaze heading into the business end of the tournament.

West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell has made it clear that, contrary to popular belief, financial incentives are by no means the main reason why some Caribbean players don’t play Test cricket. To put it bluntly, they are just not interested.

The topic has been one floating around for some time, as it became clear that players, like Russell, are more drawn to Twenty20 cricket by the lucrative lure of popular leagues around the world and, as such, have shied away from the game’s longest format.

It again came to the fore late last year, when Jason Holder, Nicholas Pooran, and Kyle Mayers turned down West Indies central contracts but made themselves available for T20 internationals.

In fact, earlier this year, both Holder and Mayers declined to take up spots in the West Indies team for the Test series against Australia, opting to pursue T20 opportunities instead. However, Holder has since made a return to the Test squad.

With speculations rife that T20s monetary payout has affected their commitment to Test cricket, Russell sought to clear the air on the matter.

“I don't think it's the money; I don't think money is the issue. Based on the number of T20 leagues around the world, I think a lot of players are just not interested in playing Tests,” Russell said in a recent interview with the Press Association.

His remarks come as West Indies currently sit at the bottom of the nine-team World Test Championship table after being swept 3-0 by England in a recent series. They have since secured a stalemate in the first Test of their ongoing series against South Africa.

Russell, Shimron Hetmyer, Pooran, Rovman Powell, and Kieron Pollard were among the West Indians playing in The Hundred when the last Test against England was being played in late July. Among the highest-paid players in the league, they are still playing The Hundred as the series against South Africa heads into the second contest.

Though Pollard, Powell, and Pooran have never played Test cricket, Russell played one in 2010. Hetmyer has played 16 games, the last of which was in 2019.

“Red-ball cricket is not my cookie; I don't think my body will keep up with Test cricket,” Russell declared as he alluded to the rigorous schedule and the physical and mental toll Test cricket takes on a player.

“I'm always excited watching the other West Indian batters, especially when they're hitting boundary after boundary. As long as you can do well from contracts outside your nation, I think they are going to grab that opportunity, but everyone wants to play on the big stage. So, if the big stage comes in Test cricket, I know youngsters will be happy to play. I just don't think it's about money or anything like that,” he added.

Russell, known for his explosive performances in limited-overs formats and his significant contributions to the West Indies team, has long been a pivotal figure in international cricket.

Now 36, Russell has managed to stay at the top of his game in white-ball cricket, but it was not without hard work and sacrifice. He overcame a series of injuries over the years, the last of which was a knee injury that forced him out of the 2019 ODI World Cup after a few games.

“Red-ball cricket is not my cookie; I don't think my body will keep up with Test cricket,” Russell stressed.

“But those in the team at the moment are fit enough and taking on the challenge. They had a few moments in the Test series [against England] where they could have turned things around. Playing England at home is always going to be hard for the West Indies,” he noted.

Ben Stokes has been ruled out of England's upcoming three-Test series against Sri Lanka after tearing his left hamstring while playing in The Hundred on Sunday.

Stokes pulled up after running a single and was carried off the field before later being seen on crutches after appearing for the Northern Superchargers.

Originally thought to be a doubt for the first of England's Tests later this month, scans on Tuesday revealed the injury will keep him out for the remainder of the summer.

Ollie Pope will take over Stokes' role as captain during his absence, with the all-rounder aiming to return to fitness before their Test tour of Pakistan in October.

England will also be without opener Zak Crawley for the Sri Lanka series due to a finger injury he sustained against the West Indies at Edgbaston.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka have appointed Ian Bell as their batting coach for the upcoming tour.

Bell, who played in 118 Tests for England between 2004 and 2015, will work under former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya.

"We appointed Ian to bring in a person with local knowledge to help the players with key insights on the conditions there," Sri Lanka Cricket chief executive Ashley de Silva said.

"We believe his input will help our team in this crucial tour."

The first Test in the series will take place at Old Trafford in Manchester on August 21.

The SDC National Community T20 Cricket competition Super 8 was officially launched at Chedwin Park in St. Catherine last Saturday, August 10^th.

The start of the Super 8 (knockout stage) was delayed by a few weeks due to the devastation suffered to parts of the island following the passage of Hurricane Beryl.

As a result, teams participating in this phase of the competition now face a win-or-go scenario which is different from previous years.

Dr. Dwayne Vernon, Executive Director of the Social Development Commission (SDC) explained the need for the change this year.

“Normally we would have a playoff, which is an intermediary round between the quarterfinals and the semifinals, so historically what would happen is that the best winners from the quarterfinals would automatically go to the semifinals and then the other teams would have played off to ensure which ones would get the right to play in the semifinals,” he said.

“What we have done this year, because we are strapped for time…is that we have eliminated the playoff round. Teams that win at the quarterfinals will automatically go to the semifinals. There will be no playoffs, just for this year. We want to end at least one week before back to school,” he added.

Kerry-Ann Bryan, Brand Manager at Wray & Nephew spoke of the long-standing partnership between her company and the SDC T20 Cricket competition.

“Wray & Nephew is proud to be a part of this long-standing tradition of community development through sport. Over 17 years we have seen much growth in participation, community comradery and development, all elements for which the SDC has been a stalwart champion.”

Bryan also spoke of the power of the sport in uniting communities across the island while assuring of her brand support through the remainder of the competition.

“Cricket for many Jamaicans is more than a game, it has the power to unite us, transcend boundaries and build a sense of camaraderie. It embodies the values of teamwork, discipline and fair play which are essential not only to the field but also in communities which we all call home,” she said.

“This competition is not just about cricket, it’s about empowering communities, encouraging social growth and nurturing the talents that align within our neighborhoods. As a proud sponsor of this competition, I can assure you that our brand will be right there cheering for every player, encouraging every team and celebrating every triumph,” she added.

In the first quarterfinal on Saturday, Whitehouse from Westmoreland beat Richmond Park from Kingston and St. Andrew by six runs. Whitehouse scored 155/6 from their 20 overs before bowling out Richmond Park for 149 in 19.3 overs.

In the second quarterfinal, Junction skittled out Troy for a mere 43 runs before they eased to victory

at 44/1.

The other two quarterfinals were played at the same venue on Sunday. In the first match on Sunday, Fairfield beat Bridgeport by 18 runs. Fairfield made 145 in exactly 20 overs before they restricted Bridgeport to 127/9 from their 20 overs.

The final quarterfinal was reduced to 15 overs due to rain. In their turn at bat, Gayle managed 107/4 and in reply Links made 108/3 from 13.3 overs to win by 7 wickets.

The semifinals will be played at the Ultimate Oval in St. Ann on Sunday, August 18.

While heaping praise on outgoing Cricket West Indies (CWI) CEO Johnny Grave, veteran cricket commentator Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira believes the next candidate will have big shoes to fill to ensure that the region’s cricket will be in a better place in years to come.

Perreira, who believes Grave enjoyed a successful tenure since he was appointed in 2017, highlighted the Englishman’s recent vocal advocacy for more funding from the ICC. Grave is set to depart the post in October.

“I think he’s had a long run as CEO in the Caribbean. On behalf of the West Indies Board, he has overseen many negotiations and many tours. Of late, he’s been talking about the poor financial cake and the small amount of money the West Indies have been getting from the ICC,” Reds said in an interview with Barbados TODAY.

“But I think he probably feels that he’s going to look down where he wants to maybe have his final job, whether it’s an English county, where his children can be educated. And I suppose it’s that time where he feels that he’s exhausted all his energy. He’s fulfilled, in his opinion, all what he could do for the West Indies Cricket Board, and it is time to move on,” he opined.

That said, Perreira pointed out that the new CEO must build on the work started by Grave, especially in the area of addressing the financial imbalance in the global game, a theme that was also taken up in recent weeks by former West Indies captain Sir Clive Lloyd.

He also stressed that the mandate of Grave’s replacement must be to secure sponsorship for the regional first-class season, along with possibly enticing overseas teams to take part in regional cricket to elevate the game.

“Whether there’s someone earmarked, whether there’s someone within the regional market, I do not know, but it might be best for the West Indies board to advertise the post to try and get the best available person with that kind of experience. The kind of person who will follow up what Grave has been working on, what the West Indies board has been working on in terms of negotiations, in terms of the ICC share of the cake, which is adequate right now. So it’s not just a new man coming in and starting all over again; he’s got to hit the road running,” Perreira reasoned.

Meanwhile, former president and CEO of the West Indies Players Association (WIPA), Dinanath Ramnarine, agrees that Grave’s loss will be significant.

“His expertise in the sports business industry, coupled with his extensive experience, made him an invaluable asset to the organisation. Replacing someone of his calibre will be an incredibly challenging task, as the person who follows in his footsteps will undoubtedly have big shoes to fill,” Ramnarine noted.

James Anderson is considering a U-turn on his international retirement just a month on from playing his final Test match against West Indies at Lord's. 

Anderson, who took 704 wickets in 188 games for England, did not officially call time on his career and is now considering a return to the white-ball format. 

He recently joined the England coaching staff as a fast-bowling mentor following his retirement, and is helping Ben Stokes and the side ahead of their Test series with Sri Lanka next week. 

However, the 42-year-old is now pondering potential avenues for a return to the T20 Arena or even in next season's Hundred competition. 

Anderson has dedicated the last 10 years to red-ball cricket, not featuring in a 20-over game since 2014, but feels "still fit enough" to prolong his illustrious career. 

"I might be in a bit of denial because I'm well aware I won't play for England again, but I've still not made a decision on my actual cricket career," Anderson told the Press Association.

"There's definitely a bit of intrigue with the shorter formats because I've not played any franchise stuff before.

"Watching The Hundred this year, seeing the ball swing around, it makes me feel like I could do a job there.

"I know it's a while since I played it and my age will get brought up again but I really feel I'll be good enough to play that form of cricket."

An inspired spell of bowling from New Zealander Tim Southee and some good batting from Barbados-born Jacob Bethell propelled the Birmingham Phoenix to a six-wicket win over Rovman Powell’s Trent Rockets in Men’s Hundred action at Edgbaston on Monday.

The Phoenix restricted the Rockets to 118 all out off their 100 balls after winning the toss and putting them in to bat.

Southee, along with fellow pacers Adam Milne and Chris Wood, started brilliantly for the Phoenix as Tom Banton (5), Alex Hales (9), Joe Root (2) and Rovman Powell (1) all fell within the first 30 balls to leave the Rockets 22-4.

Tom Alsop and Imad Wasim steadied the ship with a 77-run fifth wicket partnership but the innings came to an end quickly after the wicket of Alsop and Wasim being retired out.

Southee was brilliant on his way to figures of 5-12 from his 20 deliveries while Wood took 2-30 off 20 balls.

The Phoenix then needed 93 balls to reach 120-4. They got a good start from England opener Ben Duckett who made 30 off 16 balls before he fell to Luke Wood 17 balls into the reply.

The wickets of Jamie Smith (0), Moeen Ali (13) and Dan Mousley (0) followed soon after bringing Liam Livingstone and Jacob Bethell to the crease together.

The pair then saw their team home, with Bethell finishing 38* off 29 balls and Livingston finishing 30* off 32 balls.

Luke Wood and John Turner took two wickets, each for the Rockets.

With one game left before the knockout rounds, the Phoenix are third with 10 points, just one ahead of the Northern Superchargers, while the Rockets are fifth with six points.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced that Johnny Grave will step down as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the end of October 2024, bringing to a close a transformative tenure that has spanned over seven years. Since assuming the role in February 2017, Grave has navigated the organization through some of its most challenging and pivotal moments, leaving an indelible mark on West Indies cricket.

Grave’s departure comes at a time when CWI is celebrating several significant achievements under his leadership, including the recent success of the T20 World Cup hosted in the Caribbean. Reflecting on his tenure, Grave expressed both pride and a sense of fulfillment:

“It has been an absolute privilege to have been CEO of CWI since February 2017. Having just hosted a successful T20 World Cup and delivered significant surpluses for CWI for the third consecutive year, I do feel it is the right time for me and my family to seek a new challenge.”

These words capture the essence of Grave’s impact—a leader who has overseen a period of financial stability and growth for CWI, even as global sports organizations faced unprecedented difficulties. Grave’s tenure, however, was not just about balance sheets; it was about steering the ship through rough waters, including the challenging years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I have received tremendous support from so many people since becoming CEO, and I’d like to thank everyone, especially the staff and the players, particularly during the difficult pandemic, for their trust in me and their commitment to West Indies cricket.”

These sentiments highlight Grave’s appreciation for the team that worked alongside him through one of the most tumultuous periods in recent history. The pandemic disrupted global sports, and yet under Grave’s guidance, CWI managed to keep the game alive in the region, hosting key tournaments and ensuring the continuation of cricket in the Caribbean.

One of the most noteworthy achievements during Grave’s tenure was the acquisition and full ownership of the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG). This historic move provided CWI with a permanent home and established the CCG as the headquarters and training ground for the Men’s and Women’s Academies—a legacy that will benefit West Indies cricket for generations to come.

CWI President Dr. Kishore Shallow commended Grave’s leadership, particularly during the pandemic, and the successful hosting of three World Cups:

“Johnny’s efforts, particularly through challenging times such as the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as successfully hosting three World Cups including the Women’s World T20 in 2018, the Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup in 2022, and the recent Men’s T20 World Cup, have made a lasting impact on CWI.”

Dr. Shallow’s remarks underscore the significance of Grave’s contributions, not just in terms of event management but in ensuring that West Indies cricket remains competitive on the global stage. The hosting of these tournaments was a testament to CWI’s organizational capability and its standing within the international cricket community.

Looking ahead, Dr. Shallow emphasized the importance of building on the strong foundations laid by Grave:

“As we look forward to embracing a new chapter in the organization’s evolution, CWI is poised to deliver the new strategic plan and enter a new era of governance. This transition reflects our commitment to adapting and innovating in response to the evolving landscape of cricket.”

CWI will soon initiate a comprehensive recruitment process to select the next CEO, ensuring a seamless transition and continuity in leadership. The process will be conducted transparently, with details to be announced in the coming weeks.

Temba Bavuma lamented a lack of time after South Africa were held to a draw by West Indies in the first Test of their two-match series.

A match heavily impacted by rain concluded on Sunday, with South Africa declaring early on 173-5, but subsequently failing to bowl West Indies out in a little over two sessions.

The Windies reached 201-5 at stumps, chasing a target of 298, with Alick Athanaze (98) superbly marshalling the innings.

It left a Proteas bowling group that were already one player short - South Africa having gone with an extra batter for the first Test - frustrated.

"From our side, we tried our best to get a result in our favour," said Bavuma.

"But the wicket didn't break up as much as we expected. In the end, it was a good, competitive game of cricket.

"We went in with an extra batter as a cushion. As batters, we would like to be a bit more ruthless and convert those fifties into hundreds.

"We lost time because of the weather. With the bowling resources we had, we tried our best.

"A little bit more time and things could have been different."

Keshav Maharaj took 4-88 for South Africa, with Kagiso Rabada (1-38) the only other Proteas bowler to do any damage to the Windies during their second innings.

"I pride myself on playing Test cricket," said Maharaj. "I always relish a chance to bowl and the conditions suited me.

"I tried to keep repeating the process and keep things simple."

Windies captain Kraigg Brathwaite, meanwhile, was delighted with the grit his team displayed with the bat.

"Happy with our batting group," he said.

"The guys were quite positive, so [I'm] proud of the batting unit. We believed we could get those runs.

"It wasn't going to be easy. We need to keep going from strength to strength."

The second and final Test starts on Thursday.

Alick Athanaze played a vital innings of 92 to help the West Indies secure a hard-fought draw against South Africa in the rain-affected first Test at Queen's Park Oval on Sunday. Chasing an imposing target of 298 runs for victory, the West Indies were in early trouble but managed to salvage the match thanks to Athanaze's resilience and key contributions from his teammates.

South Africa, resuming their second innings at 30 without loss, quickly raced to 173 for 3 in just 29 overs before declaring, setting the West Indies a challenging target. Tony de Zorzi and Aiden Markram gave the visitors a solid start, scoring 45 and 38, respectively, before Tristan Stubbs injected urgency into the innings with a blistering 68 off 50 balls. His dismissal by Kemar Roach in the 29th over prompted South African captain Temba Bavuma to declare, leaving himself unbeaten on 15.

The West Indies' chase got off to a disastrous start, losing captain Kraigg Brathwaite for a duck in the first over. Mikyle Louis followed for nine, leaving the hosts reeling at 18 for 2. However, Alick Athanaze and Kaecy Carty began the process of rebuilding, putting together a valuable 46-run partnership before Carty was dismissed for 31 by Maharaj.

Athanaze continued to anchor the innings, forging another crucial stand of 63 runs with Kavem Hodge, who was also dismissed by Maharaj for 29. Athanaze's innings was a masterclass in patience and shot selection, as he found another steady partner in Jason Holder. The duo added 65 runs for the fourth wicket, with Athanaze inching closer to a well-deserved century.

Hodge made 29

Unfortunately, he fell just eight runs short of his maiden Test century, sweeping Maharaj to fine leg where he was caught. His innings, however, ensured that the West Indies could stave off defeat, with Jason Holder remaining unbeaten on 31 and Joshua da Silva not out on two when Bavuma decided to end proceedings, declaring the match a draw.

Maharaj was the pick of the South African bowlers once again, adding another four-wicket haul to his match tally, finishing with figures of 4 for 88 in the West Indies' second innings. His performance followed an equally impressive first-innings effort of 4 for 76.

Speaking after the match, West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite expressed satisfaction with his team's batting display in the second innings. "I'm happy with our batting group. The guys were quite positive, and I'm so proud of the batting unit. We believed we could get those runs, and although it wasn't going to be easy, the fight and resilience shown were commendable," Brathwaite said.

He continued, "The pitch here in the Caribbean can be a bit slower, so it's about adjusting when to go slow and when to accelerate. Alick showed us that today with his approach. His plan was to sweep, and even though he got out to a sweep, he stuck to it and nearly got his century. Hodge was also good in England, and it's about continuing to build on these performances."

The first Test ended in a draw, but it was a match that saw both teams show their strengths. The West Indies will take confidence from their batting performance as they prepare for the second Test, knowing that they have the ability to challenge South Africa in the upcoming encounters.

The second Test gets underway at Providence in Guyana on August 15.

Nicholas Pooran delivered a masterclass in power-hitting as he hammered an unbeaten 66 off just 33 balls to lead Northern Superchargers to a thrilling seven-wicket victory over Manchester Originals in The Hundred on Sunday.

Pooran's explosive innings, highlighted by eight towering sixes, turned the tide in a match that seemed to be slipping away from the Superchargers at various points.

The Superchargers, chasing 153 for victory, found themselves in a precarious position at 29 for 2, needing over 100 runs with more than half the innings gone. The situation was made even more daunting by a suspected hamstring injury to Ben Stokes which forced him to leave the field.

Despite the early setbacks, Pooran, who has been in scintillating form throughout the tournament, stepped up to the challenge. He walked in with everything to do and proceeded to unleash a brutal assault on the Originals' bowlers. Alongside Harry Brook, who contributed a crucial 43, and Adam Hose, Pooran methodically dismantled the opposition's attack, ensuring that the Superchargers stayed alive in the competition.

The Originals, led by Phil Salt's blistering 61, had earlier posted 152 for 7, riding on the momentum of the highest-ever Powerplay score in the competition. However, the Superchargers' spinners, led by Mitchell Santner with figures of 3 for 24, pulled things back, restricting the Originals to a manageable total.

The chase, though steep, was made to look routine by Pooran's brilliance. The West Indian powerhouse demonstrated his ability to take the game away from the opposition with clean hitting and smart rotation of strike. Brook and Hose provided valuable support, ensuring that the Superchargers crossed the line with 62 balls to spare.

Reflecting on his match-winning knock, Pooran said, "It's definitely one of my better innings, knowing the situation of the game. Walking into bat with 100+ runs to get, and in this format, it creeps up on you very fast, but I was really happy that I could contribute and be there to the end."

He added, "You don't win tournaments with just one person contributing. It's really good when your teammates can contribute, and hopefully, we can go to our game on Tuesday and fight. If we lost the game today, we'd be out of the tournament. I'm happy that I could be there to the end, contribute, get the win for the team, and hopefully, the result will be the same again on Tuesday."

The victory keeps the Superchargers' hopes alive as they prepare to face London Spirit in a must-win game at Headingley on Tuesday.

Temba Bavuma is ready to "throw caution to the wind" after an inspired South Africa performance on day four kept their hopes alive against West Indies.

On another day of limited play due to heavy rain, West Indies struggled through the rest of their innings.

Jason Holder (36) and Kavem Hodge (25) were both taken before Keshav Maharaj (4-76) got his fourth wicket of the innings when Joshua Da Silva (one) was caught.

Kagiso Rabada's 3-56 put West Indies on the back foot, and even Jomel Warrican's 35 could not do much to up their score as they failed to mount a late push.

Jayden Seales was then bowled for four, seeing West Indies finish on 233, trailing the Proteas' score by 124 runs.

South Africa set themselves up nicely for the final day of the Test, with Tony de Zorzi (14) and Aiden Markram (nine) putting the tourists into a 154-run lead at the end of day four.

"Hopefully we can get a full day because that will obviously give us a realistic chance of getting a result," said Bavuma.

"To use the old cliche, we will have to take care of the first hour to set it up and if it's going our way, then we can throw caution to the wind to see what happens.

"But it's imperative that we set it up in that first hour."

De Zorzi and Markram will be looking to keep the pressure on when they resume play at 30-0 on Sunday at Port of Spain.

Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada starred on a rainy fourth day of the first Test between the West Indies and South Africa at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain on Saturday.

The West Indies, after starting the day 145-4, were eventually dismissed for 233 in 91.5 overs, trailing South Africa by 124, after the day’s first two sessions were rained out.

Jason Holder and Kavem Hodge, the not our batsmen overnight heading into the day, made 36 and 25, respectively while Jomel Warrican made a significant contribution with 35* batting at number 10.

Maharaj was causing consistent problems for the West Indies batsmen, eventually taking 4-76 off an impressive 40 overs while Rabada took 3-56 off 18 overs.

At stumps, South Africa reached 30-0 off five overs in their second innings, leading the West Indies by 154 runs. Tony de Zorzi was 14* and Aiden Markram 9*.

Full Scores:

South Africa 357 off 117.4 overs (Temba Bavuma 86, Tony de Zorzi 78, Wiaan Mulder 41*, Kyle Verreynne 39, Jomel Warrican 4-69, Jayden Seales 3-67, Kemar Roach 2-53) & 30-0 off 5 overs

West Indies 233 off 91.5 overs (Keacy Carty 42, Jason Holder 36, Kraigg Brathwaite 35, Mikyle Louis 35, Jomel Warrican 35*, Keshav Maharaj 4-76, Kagiso Rabada 3-56)

Kieron Pollard played one of his trademark innings to help the Southern Brave secure an improbable victory over the Trent Rockets in the Men’s Hundred at The Rose Bowl in Southampton on Saturday.

After winning the toss and batting first, the Rockets posted 126-8 from their 100 balls.

Openers Tom Banton and Adam Lyth gave the Rockets a good start with a partnership of 46 for the first wicket before both went in quick succession for 30 and 16, respectively.

A series of starts from Alex Hales (15), Joe Root (16), Rovman Powell (16) and captain Lewis Gregory (19) propelled the Rockets to their score.

Chris Jordan was the pick of the bowlers for the Brave with 3-22 from his 20 balls while Jofra Archer and Danny Briggs took two wickets, each.

The Brave then needed 99 balls to reach 127-8 and secure victory.

After a 43-run opening partnership between Alex Davies and captain James Vince, the Brave lost a cluster of wickets very quickly, eventually struggling at 78-6, needing 49 from 20 balls.

Kieron Pollard, who at that point has scored six off 14 balls, faced up to Rashid Khan in a crucial set of five to likely determine the outcome of the game.

The former West Indies captain then produced one of the most brutal displays of hitting of his career, belting Khan for five sixes in a row to put the Brave firmly in control, now needing 19 from 15 for victory.

The momentum continued in the way of the brave as the next set of five balls went for 10 runs to leave the Brave needing nine runs off 10 balls.

Pollard’s innings came to an end off the first ball of the next set for a 23-ball 45 including two fours and five sixes, bringing Jofra Archer to the crease to join Chris Jordan.

With the Brave eventually needing four runs off two balls, Jordan hit Lewis Gregory for four over square leg to secure the win.