Proteas bounce back with big win
South Africa hammered holders West Indies by eight wickets in a game overshadowed by Proteas star Quinton de Kock's refusal to take the knee prior to Tuesday's Twenty20 World Cup clash.
Aiden Markram smashed 51 to lead South Africa's chase of 144 in an unbeaten 83-run third-wicket stand with Rassie van der Dussen (43) to achieve their target with 10 balls to spare in the Super 12 contest.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. South Africa bounced back from their opening loss to Australia, while two-time champions West Indies have lost both their matches.
Cricket South Africa ordered its players to kneel in Dubai and lend their support to the anti-racism movement but De Kock pulled out of the game due to "personal reasons".
Temba Bavuma's team took the knee after their decision to field first.
"When the news hit us, it did kind of take us back as a team. A guy like Quinnie [de Kock], he obviously plays an integral role within the team, not just with the bat but as a senior player but with that, Klaasen coming in there was an opportunity for him, it was another game of cricket that we had to play for our country and we had to live up to that," said Bavuma after the match.
South African skipper expressed his satisfaction over his side's performance in the second game.
"Much better than our first game. We knew there were areas that we needed to improve on. Particularly our batting. Our bowling again was outstanding. A good day for us," he added.
Opener Evin Lewis hit 56 in West Indies' 143-8 as they suffered another heavy loss, having made just 55 in a crushing defeat by England three days ago.
"Obviously just a matter that we haven't scored enough runs. It's disappointing today," said West Indies skipper Kieron Pollard.
Fast bowler Dwaine Pretorius took three wickets as West Indies again failed to fire after a painstaking 16 off 35 balls from Lendl Simmons at the top of the order.
Skipper Kieron Pollard hit a useful 20-ball 26 before falling to Pretorius, who was on a hat-trick only for Dwayne Bravo to hit a boundary.
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