Plays of the match

Newlands’ fine form continues: Empty seats were a rarity once again at Newlands as the Cape Town faithful came in their droves to support the Proteas and they brought their voices as well as noise rang through the stadium throughout the match. Despite their feverish support, the fans could not will the Proteas to a win. Double KO: Reeza Hendricks was the first wicket of the day when he was trapped leg before wicket by Sheldon Cottrell. The opening batsman did not receive a normal send-off though, as Cottrell’s follow-through saw the fast bowler collide heavily with Hendricks, which nearly toppled the Knights batsman. Hendricks received an apology from Cottrell, but it proved to be a sign for the rest of the match as the tourists continued to bulldoze the Proteas for the win. Bated breath: Faf du Plessis had the crowd on their feet with several big hits, and when the skipper launched into another big hit off Andre Russell in the ninth over, the ball sailed to the boundary where the imposing 6ft8 figure of Jason Holder tried to position himself under the ball. Fortunately for the Proteas, Holder – despite stretching the full length of his frame – saw the ball slip through his fingers and over the boundary rope for another six. Gayle’s day out: The former West Indies skipper blasted his 12th T20 international 50 off just 17 balls. Gayle equalled the record for the second-fastest T20 fifty. Only Indian master-blaster Yuvraj Singh with an astonishing 12-ball demolition against England at Kingsmead during the 2007 World T20 tops the Caribbean maestro. It’s my party: With the West Indies top-order scoring freely there was very little for the Proteas to smile about. However, that changed with the introduction of Imran Tahir. Although Tahir was also targeted by the Windies big hitters, the leg-spinner was able to do his exuberant celebrations after taking the wickets of Dwayne Smith, Gayle and Marlon Samuels. His celebration at the fall of Gayle’s wicket saw the 35-year-old nearly buy a railway pass as he made his way towards the fans. – Junior Bester