IMC Masters O40s World Cup: West Indies suffer 2nd defeat after South Africa’s late escape

West Indies Masters suffered their second defeat in the 2026 International Masters Cricket (IMC) Over-40s World Cup on Tuesday, falling by one wicket to defending champions South Africa at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
After posting 269 for nine in 45 overs and reducing South Africa to 160 for seven, the hosts appeared poised for victory. However, Ryan Reeves struck an unbeaten 64 off just 29 balls to guide South Africa to 272 for nine with one over remaining.
The loss followed West Indies’ opening defeat to Australia. They will seek their first win against Namibia on Wednesday at the Police Sports Club Ground, Georgetown.
Randy Thomas top-scored for the West Indies with 78 off 74 balls, including 12 fours, while Narsingh Deonarine remained unbeaten on 47 from 64 deliveries. Antonnel Atwell contributed 34 off 25 balls, sharing a 56-run third-wicket partnership with Thomas.
Thomas was run out at 170, and South Africa kept the middle order under pressure. Larry Farnum made 16, Devendra Bishoo 12 and Rakesh Maharaj an unbeaten 17, with Deonarine helping the hosts reach 269 for nine. Reeves and Piet Botha took two wickets each, as did Robert Mutch.
West Indies made a strong start to their defence, with Trevor Benn dismissing South African captain William Hantam-C and Brandon Buckley for ducks in successive deliveries. Christiaan Ritter (32) and Alwyn Vorster (36) helped rebuild the innings before Imran Khan removed both.
Reinhardt Strydom added 43, but Khan’s dismissal of Chris Thompson for 11 left South Africa struggling at 160 for seven. Brendon Reddy and Reeves then turned the match around with a 68-run eighth-wicket stand. Reddy smashed 52 off 35 balls, including four sixes, before falling to Bishoo, who later bowled Mutch for eight to leave South Africa at 242 for nine.
Reeves held firm, striking eight fours and three sixes, and shared an unbroken 30-run partnership with Christoff Visser, who finished on two, to seal the win. Khan claimed three for 52, while Benn and Bishoo took two wickets each. Maharaj was economical, conceding just 22 runs in nine overs, including a maiden.

England and New Zealand chalk up wins
England defeated Scotland by eight wickets at Albion Community Centre Ground after dismissing them for 106 in 31.1 overs. Iresh Saxena led the attack with four for five from 5.1 overs, including two maidens, while captain Darren Stevens took three for 29. Kyle Coetzer top-scored for Scotland with 35.
England reached 111 for two in 17.1 overs, led by Jaden Levitt’s unbeaten 49 off 44 balls. Ben Frazer added 28 from 15 deliveries, while Daniel Styer took both wickets for 18 runs.
New Zealand beat the United States by seven wickets at the Police Sports Club Ground, chasing 262 with 49 balls to spare. Captain Steven Hobson led the way with an unbeaten 96 off 69 balls, including 10 fours and three sixes, while Dewald Strydom scored 70 from 53 deliveries.
Greg Johnson added 39 and Alan Burton finished unbeaten on 32, sharing an unbroken 94-run fourth-wicket partnership with Hobson as New Zealand reached 264 for three in 36.5 overs.
The United States had earlier scored 261 for eight in 45 overs, with Petson Matthews making 56, Sudhindra Shetty 54 and Prasanna Ramaswamy 53. Paddy Sullivan took two for 53 for New Zealand.
Wednesday’s fixtures see West Indies face Namibia at the Police Sports Club Ground, Canada meet Wales at the National Stadium, Providence, and Colombia take on South Africa at Lusignan. New Zealand play India at Albion, while Pakistan face England at Everest Cricket Club Ground.