South Africa came out as the winners in a tight Test match after successfully defending 263 runs against the West Indeis to win by 40 runs. Fast bowler Jayden Seales was a shining light, taking 6 for 61 in the second innings to bowl South Africa out for what should have been an inadequate total of just 248. The West Indies fell short with a spirited effort as they were ultimately dismissed for 222.
The last twist came on the 300th ball as Seales walked back to be nine down. South Africa’s star spinner Keshav Maharaj claimed the key scalp by catching Seales off a vicious David Bedingham short-leg snaffle. Maharaj was instrumental the whole series and that 171 st Test wicket saw him overtake Hugh Tayfield as SA’s most successful spinner in history.
South Africa’s win maintained their undefeated series record against the West Indies over four attempts, stretching back to a 5-0 hammering by Shaun Pollock and his 1998/99 team in South Africa. South Africa’s success story Test cricket (vis a vis West Indies)
Kagiso Rabada was also among the wickets, claiming three for 50 and nearing a career haul of 300 scalps in Test cricket. It was particularly sweet victory for Maharaj, who thanked his captain Temba Bavuma for believing in their slow bowlers. Maharaj said he appreciated the way Bavuma thought, and how it contributed positively to Maharaj reading the game well in favourable conditions which helped South Africa to success.
The West Indies, meanwhile, dug in thanks largely to a 77-run stand for the seventh wicket between top-scorer Gudakesh Motie (45) and Joshua da Silva (27). But Maharaj’s second spell turned pivotal, claiming the wickets of both Motie and da Silva lbw in two deliveries to swing the momentum back.
Player of the 2nd Test – Wiaan Mulder The above mentioned two efforts along with Maharaj’s and Rabada were vital in South Africa securing the series.
West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite admitted it was the opening innings that hurt his side most, after they bowled South Africa out for 160. He stated the top-order batsmen need to have more intent at the crease. After a rain-affected first Test in Trinidad, the series finished 1-0 in South Africa’s favour.
Scoreboard Recap:
South Africa (1st innings): 160 all out: (D Piedt* 38 not out; S Joseph complete analysis best bowling in the South African initial inning by S. Joseph(5/33).
West Indies (1st innings) 144 West Inides: J. Holder not out 54 South Africa bowling,.
South Africa 246 (Verreynne 59; Seales 6-61)
West Indies (2nd Innings): 222 Sizadxetagaire Maiden Half-century in ODI for Guyana Bowler as West Indies Head Towards Victory of a Tour and Series-sweep Over Afghanistan Onkar Singh Renu MISRA Weitems Fraw LINE OF COMMENT Let’s HOOTHING GUYANA PATRI07ism Y- BFCEnter hope AKS! Motte WC Have what: fiSPb KESN Afemar co. TILLETS CARRER AgA Raymond karachylistan JBY MWATA hasaturdaytT3 lecnology Auston CRICKETCompiled CARms14es Airplan A FAC5 Wen Drtoor EYE Es DN Qu WOL igenatafm efote v SYd come To all TOYAL Bank mea r tonw de ligne Sece RATC NG Wi TirNaDaChcFM CAeu M-G1 rep0M25 Sm20/M150 CAT MEWIN Ed CHANEON nua Paber!BTTagCompound RN Hed Huet the Lr OPEN
South Africa won by 40 runs, lead the series 1-0