Proteas crumble to defeat in Windies T20 as Hendricks offers only resistance

The Proteas lost their opening T20 against the West Indies by 28 runs in Kingston on Thursday night after a woeful batting display.

Chasing 176 for victory thanks to superb bowling spells from debutant Ottneil Baartman (3/36 in 4) and Andile Phehlukwayo (3/28 in 4), the Proteas could only muster 147 all out in reply.

Reeza Hendricks, once again, was the shining light for the South Africans as he watched his team-mates crumble around him as he compiled a brilliant, career-best 87 off 51.

But there was no other real resistance from the South African batters, with Matthew Breetzke's 19 (13) the next highest score.

Earlier, West Indies captain Brandon King had carved 79 (45) and while he was batting, the hosts looked set to post more than 200.

That was until Phehlukwayo and Baartman wrestled the momentum back for South Africa by picking up key wickets in the middle overs.

The second T20 takes place at the same venue on Saturday.