South Africa squeezed a one-run win over West Indies in the second T20 international at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Thursday. Friday’s hero McLaren bowled the dramatic last over when West Indies needed 15 runs. Darren Sammy Deonarine ran like hares and Sammy’s agricultural swipe fetched a four as the first three balls went for 10 runs. Deonarine was run-out off the fifth as equation came down to three from one ball. Taylor could only squeeze out a run from a widish fool toss as South Africans celebrated.

The target of 121 on a pitch of variable bounce was tricky and West Indies again lost their skipper Chris Gayle in the first over. Fletcher looked all at sea against the steeping bounce which Morkel extracted from the pitch and was dismissed cheaply. Bravo and Chaderpaul took too long to consolidate as the South African pacers bowled with accuracy and hostility. West Indies were well behind the rate at the end of the first 10 overs. Bravo meanwhile survived a difficult chance at backward point when he fiercely cut McLaren and South Africans were left to rue that chance as the batsman changed gears. Tsotsobe coming back for his second spell was wayward and was sent to the cleaners. Bravo lofted Steyn over long on for a straight six to keep the Windies in the hunt. In a momentum seizing over which happened to be Tsotsobe’s last over, West Indies grabbed 15 runs as Bravo hit another six and Chaderpaul innovated to get the ball over fine leg’s head for a four. Chanderpaul flat-batted Botha for another six but gloved a catch to deVilliers as he tried a reverse sweep. Bravo fell soon after trying another hoick off Morkel who bowled a tight over to push back the West Indies charge. Botha’s last over in which he snared both Sarwan and Pollard virtually ended the contest.

Earlier, South African innings meandered along on a difficult pitch. The visitors missed the prolific Kallis who had to sit out due to injury. The top-order looked out of sorts and struggled to force the ball off the square. They quickly slumped to 59 for six in the 13th over before a resourceful 59-run stand between Botha and young Miller changed the contest.

Miller was brave and showed no nerves for someone fresh to international scene. His audacious strokes brought cheer and gave substance to the South African total. Pollard was mauled and Benn’s figures spoiled as South Africans upped the ante. However, a fine last over by Taylor wrested the initiative back to the hosts as South Africans fell a few runs short of a par score on this wicket.