Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton flatten West Indies as South Africa seal T20I series

A whirlwind hundred from Quinton de Kock and a breezy half-century from Ryan Rickelton helped South Africa to a comfortable victory in a high-scoring second T20I at the Supersport Park in Centurion. After quick fifties from Shimron Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford took West Indies to 221/4, De Kock struck a 49-ball 115, with 10 sixes, while Rickelton finished with an unbeaten 77 off 36 as South Africa took only 17.3 overs to reach the target and clinch the T20I series with a game left to play.

South Africa were never allowed to feel the weight of the target as De Kock set the tone early in the chase, unfurling a range of pulls, flicks and lofted strokes to seize control against the West Indies seamers. The one over of spin - Roston Chase in the fourth over - was also a costly one as he was hit for a six and a four by De Kock, with the lack of consistency and a pitch favouring the batters, only making it harder for West Indies. South Africa raced away to 70 in the powerplay, with De Kock bringing up a 21-ball fifty soon after.

Meanwhile, Rickelton settled in quickly at the other end after Aiden Markram fell early. Even after the field spread, both batters found gaps with ease, ensuring the required rate was kept firmly in check. The opening stand gathered pace through the middle overs, with Rickelton growing increasingly assertive while De Kock also kept the big hits coming, helping South Africa to 122/1 at the halfway stage. The 12th over proved rather expensive, with De Kock hitting two sixes and Rickelton getting two fours, off Jayden Seales, with the 25-run over taking South Africa past 150.

De Kock surged to his hundred with a flicked six off Jason Holder, soon after Rickelton got to a 25-ball fifty as the pair added 162 in just 72 balls. Even when De Kock eventually miscued a lofted attempt off Akeal Hosein, the damage had long been done and the chase remained firmly on South Africa's terms. Rickelton saw the job through with a flurry of boundaries, accelerating once the end came into view and ensuring there were no late alarms.

Earlier, put in to bat, West Indies made full use of a good surface, riding an aggressive PowerPlay from Brandon King to get off to a quick start. King took a particular liking to Anrich Nortje, smashing 24 off his first over and repeatedly clearing the infield as South Africa struggled to settle with the ball. After Shai Hope fell early to Marco Jansen, Hetmyer walked in at No.3 and ensured the momentum did not dip, attacking from the outset and forcing the hosts onto the defensive as West Indies raced to 68/1 in the powerplay.

King and Hetmyer combined in a 126-run stand for the second wicket, batting through the middle overs with authority. Nortje, who came back for his second over, ended up conceding 22 off it as West Indies got to 115/1 at the end of the 10th over. King mixed clean hitting with smart placement before falling one short of a half-century, even as Hetmyer grew increasingly fluent and got to a 29-ball fifty. South Africa briefly clawed their way back through Keshav Maharaj, who removed both Rovman Powell and Hetmyer in a tidy spell, but the damage had already been done.

Just as the innings threatened to lose momentum, Rutherford provided the late surge West Indies were looking for. He tore into the death overs with a succession of powerful strikes, punishing missed yorkers and short deliveries to get to a half-century off just 24 balls, with able support from Romario Shepherd. Nortje endured a torrid finish, going for 15 in his last over, after Jansen went for 22 in the 18th over. West Indies surged past 220, setting South Africa what appeared like a daunting target, only for De Kock and Rickelton to make it look anything but.

Brief scores: West Indies 221/4 in 20 overs (Shimron Hetmyer 75, Sherfane Rutherford 57*, Brandon King 49; Keshav Maharaj 2-22) lost to South Africa 225/3 in 17.3 overs (Quinton de Kock 115, Ryan Rickelton 77*; Akeal Hosein 2-41) by 7 wickets.