Aiden Markram leads from the front as Proteas cruise to opening T20I victory over Windies

The Proteas’ preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup began in rousing fashion with captain Aiden Markram leading his team to a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over the West Indies in the first T20I at Boland Park in Paarl on Tuesday evening.  

Markram struck a magnificent unbeaten 86 from 47 balls - his second T20I half-century in three matches - to validate Proteas' coach Shukri Conrad's call to open the innings with the skipper.

Ryan Rickelton, who was a late call-up to the World Cup squad for the injured Tony de Zorzi, also made a solid contribution of 40 not out off 32 balls, which formed part of a 93-run stand with Markram.

Lhuan-dre Pretorius did his future Proteas’ chances no harm at all either. Playing at his adopted home ground only due to Quinton de Kock being rested for the first T20I due to his exertions with Sunrisers Eastern Cape, Pretorius struck a rapid 44 off 28 balls (4x4, 1x6) to kickstart the run chase. 

Pretorius added 83 in under eight overs with Markram, but was caught on the on the boundary attempting to sweep Roston Chase. 

The Proteas had earlier won the toss and elected to bowl first.

Shimron Hetmyer was the star performer in a stop-start innings from the tourists. Hetmyer struck 48 off 32 balls, forming a 74-run partnership with Rovman Powell, to lift the West Indies to a competitive 173/7. 

The visitors had started in a brisk manner through openers Brandon King (27 off 16 balls) and Johnson Charles (13 off nine balls), but lost momentum with Keshav Maharaj and Corbin Bosch claiming two wickets apiece to reduce the Windies to 95/5 in the 12th over.  

But Hetmyer reclaimed the momentum by striking Maharaj for two sixes and a boundary to set up a big finish. 

The Proteas bowling unit though held their nerve to deliver an excellent spell at the death.

The home side conceded just 23 runs in the final three overs with George Linde (3/25) claiming two wickets, including Hetmyer’s, in the last to limit the Windies to a chaseable target.