St George’s – West Indies power-packed batting failed to fire in the second Twenty20 International in Grenada and South Africa clinched a 17-run win to draw level 1-1 in the five-match series.
Chasing 167 to win, the Windies never got into high gear on a slow National Cricket Stadium pitch.
Andre Fletcher hit the top score 35 for the Caribbean side, Fabian Allen indulged himself towards the end with 34, Evin Lewis got 21 and former captain Jason Holder made 20.
Kagiso Rabada was the most successful bowler for South Africa with three for 37 from his allotted four overs, but left-arm spinner George Linde earned the Player-of-the-Match award for his spell of two for 19 from four overs.
Earlier, tidy bowling from West Indies – led by Obed McCoy and off-spinner Kevin Sinclair – restricted South Africa to 166 for seven from their allocation of 20 overs, after they were sent into bat.
McCoy grabbed three for 25 from his allotted four overs and Sinclair snared two for 23 from his four overs to help the Windies regain control, after opener Reeza Hendricks and Quinton de Kock gave the South Africans a flying start.
The Windies conceded 69 from the Power Play, but they used a variety of lines, lengths and bowling speeds to take control of the remainder of the Proteas innings, after the early assault from Hendricks and de Kock.
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma hit the top score of 46 for his side, Hendricks made 42 and de Kock added 26.
The third match of the series will be played on Tuesday at the same venue.
Summarised scores:
South Africa 166 for seven off 20 overs (Temba Bavuma 46, Reeza Hendricks 42, Quinton de Kock 26, David Miller 11, Heinrich Klaasen 10; Obed McCoy 3-25, Kevin Sinclair 2-23).
West Indies 150 for nine off 20 overs (Andre Fletcher 35, Fabian Allen 34, Evin Lewis 21, Jason Holder 20; Kagiso Rabada 3-37, George Linde 2-19).
(AR)