Historic T20 series sweep for WI

KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC):

Their bowlers set it up, and their batting, led by a Player-of-the-Match innings from Johnson Charles, formalised an eight-wicket win on Sunday in Jamaica - and hosts West Indies swept South Africa in a Twenty20 International series for the first time.

The 35-year-old St Lucian opener cracked nine fours and five sixes in the top score of 69 from 26 balls, and the Caribbean side gained a boost of confidence before the ICC Men's T20 World Cup starts next week when they comfortably chased down 164 to clinch the series, exclusively played at Sabina Park, 3-0.

Charles, a member of the final 15-member West Indies squad for the World Cup announced earlier in the day, shared 92 for the first wicket with World Cup-bound teammate and captain for this series, Brandon King, that set the foundation for the successful run chase.

"It was great the start we got," Charles said in a post-play TV interview. "We have been working hard during the camp we had before the series, and we have worked hard on our skills and the way we want to play in the World Cup, so it's just a matter of implementing what we have been practising."

King, leading the side in the absence of World Cup captain Rovman Powell, made 44 and ambidextrous all-rounder Kyle Mayers - one of the five reserves for the World Cup co-hosts also announced earlier in the day - was not out on 36.

Mayers swung a delivery from Reeza Hendricks - bowling his uncomplicated off-spin - over mid-wicket, and the Caribbean side completed their chase with 55 balls remaining for their biggest win against the South Africans based on that margin of victory.

Though both sides were missing at least half of the World Cup squads, King said it was an important series win for West Indies, trying to win an unprecedented third world T20 title and on home soil to boot.

"I am just happy for the victory," King said. "We believe in each other as a unit and understand each other very well. We have been playing with the same group of guys for the last year or two, so we really understand each other's game, and we have a lot of confidence in each other.

"This is an important series win for us. It's the last set of matches before the World Cup, so it's been really good preparation for us, and it's really good momentum to carry into the World Cup. All of the guys are feeling confident about their game, so that's good."

Left-arm spinner Motie ended the series with eight wickets at 8.50 apiece and was named the Player of the Series.

Scores: South Africa 163 for seven off 20 overs (Rassie van der Dussen 51 not out, Wiaan Mulder 36; Obed McCoy 3-39, Gudakesh Motie 2-21, Shamar Joseph 2-26).

West Indies 165 for two off 13.5 overs (Johnson Charles 69, Brandon King 44, Kyle Mayers 36 not out).