A gentle breeze is set to sweep through the iconic Three Ws Oval, Cave Hill, Barbados, on the evening of 22nd July 2025, but the real storm will be the cricketing drama as Hayley Matthews’ West Indies look to level the T20I series against an in-form South African side. The contest, scheduled for a 7:30 PM IST start, promises to be a showcase of athleticism, strategy, and individual brilliance.
South Africa, buoyed by a flawless ODI campaign and a decisive 50-run victory in the 1st T20I, have stamped their authority on this tour. Their ascent has been shaped by the irrepressible Tazmin Brits, whose unbeaten 98* off 63 balls, her personal best in the T20I format, not only anchored their opening win but also sent a clear signal of intent. Brits, crowned Player of the Series in the ODIs for her aggregate of 184 runs, is rewriting the script with her consistency and flair.
Yet, the West Indies, proud hosts with a historic 58% win rate against the Proteas in T20Is (14 victories in 24 matches), are not a side to wilt on home soil. Under the charismatic leadership of Hayley Matthews, they carry both expectation and experience. The challenge now is to regroup, reignite their batting prowess, and counter South Africa’s momentum.
Who will take centre stage this time? Will the West Indies roar back, or will South Africa’s juggernaut keep rolling in the 2nd T20I?
Squads:
West Indies:
Hayley Matthews (C), Shemaine Campbelle (VC), Aaliyah Alleyne, Jahzara Claxton, Afy Fletcher, Shabika Gajnabi, Jannillea Glasgow, Realeanna Grimmond, Chenille Henry, Zaida James, Qiana Joseph, Mandy Mangru, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack, and Stafanie Taylor.
South Africa:
Laura Wolvaardt (C), Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Karabo Meso (wk), Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Miané Smit, and Chloé Tryon.
Players to Watch Out For:
Hayley Matthews:
West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews has been a standout all-rounder in the series against South Africa. She was the top run-scorer for her team in the ODIs with 104 runs at a strike rate of 94.54, including a half-century, and also took 4 wickets at an economy of 4.56. In the 1st T20I, Matthews contributed 19 runs and bowled an economical spell of 4 overs for 26 runs. Her consistent performances with both bat and ball remain crucial for the West Indies as they aim to level the T20I series.
Jahzara Claxton:
Jahzara Claxton has emerged as a bright spark for the West Indies in their ongoing series against South Africa. In the 1st T20I, Claxton impressed with the ball, claiming 3 wickets for 39 runs in her four overs, providing crucial breakthroughs for her side. Her all-round abilities were also on display in the 3rd ODI, where she contributed a valuable 43 runs off just 32 balls, showcasing her aggressive intent with the bat. With the ball in the same match, she delivered a steady spell, finishing with figures of 1/48 from seven overs. Claxton’s performances highlight her growing importance in the West Indies setup, offering both wicket-taking prowess and lower-order batting strength.
Nadine de Klerk:
Nadine de Klerk continues to be a reliable all-rounder for South Africa in their ongoing tour of the West Indies. In the 1st T20I, she made a useful contribution with the bat, scoring 21 runs at a brisk strike rate of 123.52, and followed it up with an economical bowling spell, taking 1 wicket for just 12 runs in her two overs.
During the ODI series, de Klerk added valuable runs in the middle order, scoring 53 runs at a strike rate of 117.77 and an average of 26.50 across two innings. With the ball, she chipped in with a wicket and maintained an economy of 6.50. De Klerk’s consistent performances with both bat and ball underline her importance to the South African lineup as they look to maintain their winning momentum.
Marizanne Kapp:
Marizanne Kapp has once again demonstrated her value as a premier all-rounder for South Africa during their ongoing tour of the West Indies. In the ODI series, Kapp was effective with both bat and ball, claiming 3 wickets at an impressive average of 16.33 and an economy rate of 4.90 across two matches. With the bat, she contributed 66 runs at a strike rate of 92.95, providing stability and experience in the middle order. Carrying her form into the T20I series, Kapp delivered a strong bowling performance in the 1st T20I, taking 2 wickets for 27 runs in her three overs. Her consistent impact in both disciplines continues to be a key factor in South Africa’s success on this tour.
Pitch:
It is a good pitch, a belter for the batters after seeing off the early phase in their innings, with slightly more assistance for the pacers, with 11 wickets as compared to the spinners, with 8 wickets to their credit. The average total on this venue is 183.
Weather:
The spectators and players should brace for scattered thunderstorms on match day. The temperature is expected to hover around a warm 29°C, with humidity levels quite high at 77%, creating a muggy atmosphere. There is a 40% chance of precipitation, so intermittent rain showers could disrupt play. Additionally, winds blowing at 29 km/h may influence the game, especially for bowlers and fielders. Fans are advised to stay prepared for changing weather conditions as the evening progresses.
Fantasy Playing 11:
Shemaine Campbelle, Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, Hayley Matthews, Marizanne Kapp, Chenille Henry, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Jahzara Claxton, Nonkululeko Mlaba, and Jannillea Glasgow.
Match Details:
Date: 22nd June 2025 (Sunday).
Time: 7:30 PM IST.
Venue: Three Ws Oval, Cave Hill, Barbados.
Broadcast Details:
West Indies: The fans in the Caribbean can watch the Hayley Matthews-led side take on the Proteas in the 2nd T20I on ESPN Caribbean.
South Africa: The Fans in South Africa can follow the live action on SuperSport Action Live from 10 AM Local Time, and 4 PM SAST
India: The neutral fans from India could enjoy these two promising forces, West Indies and South Africa, battle against each other in the 2nd T20I on the Fancode App and Website.
I am Yash Tailor, and I believe work should be driven by passion. Therefore, after completing my Engineering, I chose to work in the Cricket industry, my passion. My goal is to reach a stage where I truly enjoy what I do and give my best to every task with energy and purpose.