T20: Evin Lewis guides West Indies to big win over South Africa

Lewis smashed seven sixes and four boundaries in his 71-run knock to upend South Africa's total of 160/6 in the allotted 20 overs for the loss of just two wickets

St George’s (Grenada): Evin Lewis went on a six-hitting spree as West Indies scored a morale-boosting eight-wicket win against South Africa in the opening T20 International here.

After the disappointment of losing both the Test matches to the Proteas by big margins at St Lucia, the gloom in the home team camp was partially lifted when Lewis smashed seven sixes and four boundaries in his 71-run knock to upend South Africa’s total of 160/6 in the allotted 20 overs for the loss of just two wickets and with five overs to spare.

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Lewis led the charge, taking just 35 deliveries to reach his 71. His opening partnership of 85 with Andre Fletcher (30) laid the foundation for the big win for the two-time T20 world champions on Saturday.

After the openers fell, Andre Russell and Chris Gayle took the home side to victory with an unbroken partnership of 37 in three overs.

Brief scores: South Africa 160/6 in 20 overs (Quinton de Kock 37, RV der Dussen 56 not out; F Allen 2/18, D Bravo 2/30) lost to West Indies 161/2 in 15 overs (E Lewis 71).