Captain Hayley Matthews and her deputy Shemaine Campbelle played crucial roles in leading the West Indies Women to their first T20 series win over South Africa in 12 years at the 3Ws Oval, Barbados.
Matthews scored her second consecutive half century of the series, and Campbelle led the home team to a six-wicket win, securing a 2-1 series victory.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, South Africa scored 147 for 6 in their 20 overs, thanks to a maiden T20 half-century by Miane Smith.
Smith scored an unbeaten 59 off 38 balls with 7 fours and 1six to lead the batting for the visitors.
South Africa had a good start, with openers Tazmin Brits and Luus putting on 29 runs in just 3.3 overs until Ramharack dismissed Luus for 13. That run rate drastically reduced after, and when Brits lost her wicket to Fletcher for 20, the side slumped to 57 for 2 in the ninth over.
Smith provided a late spark with breathtaking shots to help the visitors gain momentum in the innings.
Ramharack bagged 2/18, while Fletcher took 2/28 for the West Indies.
Matthews made 65 runs off 50 balls, while Campbelle contributed 42 runs to help the home team reach 148 for 4 with 9 balls remaining.
It was the first victory for the West Indies over the Proteas in a T20 series since 2013, when they won 2-0 in the Caribbean.
Matthews was once again awarded the Player-of-the-Match and Player-of-the-Series titles.
Losing her opening partner Qiana Joseph with just 17 runs on the board, and Realeanna Grimmond scoring just 5 before being bowled by Ayabonga Khaka, the West Indies slip to 32 for 2 in the sixth over.
Campbelle then joined Matthews at the crease in an 82-run partnership that spanned 10 overs to repair the damage.
Matthews brought up her 19th T20 half century off 39 balls in the last ball of the 11th over, bowled by Mlaba.
At the end of the 15th over, the West Indies were well on course to win, as they needed 38 runs from 30 balls.
But in the next over, Matthews was bowled off her pads by a delivery from spinner Sune Luus. Matthews smacked 9 fours and 1 six in her innings.
Campbelle then gifted Marizanne Kapp a simple caught-and-bowled opportunity, and at that stage, the West Indies needed 12 from 13 balls to win.
However, Chinelle Henry belted pacer Tumi Sekhukhune for a 6 and 4 off consecutive deliveries, before sealing the match with a delivery that gave her 2 runs.
Henry finished unbeaten on 20 off 11 balls with 2 fours and a 6.
Kapp was South Africa’s best bowler, taking 2/27 from her 4 overs.
