South Africa vs West Indies: Mulder and Joseph Sparkle in a Tense Test
Shamarh Joseph had a dream home debut as he bagged his maiden fifer in international cricket during an exciting Test match against South Africa at the Providence Stadium, Guyana. Still, Wiaan Mulder’s career-best 4 for 18 threatened to upstage him on a greentop. Seventeen wickets fell on the day, making it a record for most dismissals in one Test aside at this venue (note that this ground is hosting only its third match). swing, seam and bounce in the plan on the same track that would play host to a high stakes series decider as South Africa vs West Indies set for an engaging contest.
While the Trinidad Test was slow—not least because of rain interruptions—things proceeded to have a vibrant pace in Guyana during the South Africa vs West Indies match. After both captains probably would have batted on a cool overcast morning, it was the bowlers – especially fast ones who sent down 68 of those 82.2 overs and got through to claim all but five wickets during the day – which held sway. Not one player from the top six in either lineup made it past 30, with Jason Holder their best performer. The record 63-run (10th wicket) stand between Dane Piedt and Nandre Burger was an example of how the tail wagged for South Africa in crucial times during their hard-fought series against West Indies.
The pitch posed a challenge from get-go, with seam and swing through the air on offer. After Markram struck a cover drive off Holder, the third ball of the Test saw him edge one past third slip. Jayden Seales, meanwhile, ran through the South African batting line-up at one end with some probing seam-bowling as left-hander Tony de Zorzi was bowled in his fourth over.
Joseph struck first ball when he began with a double-wicket over in the seventh. He got rather lovely inswing and made Markram play the wrong line, a dream of an early first wicket at his home ground. South Africa was 18-3 in the series-clinching first Test against New Zealand after just eight balls, with Joseph also blowing away South African captain Temba Bavuma for a duck two balls later as drinks were being delivered.
It was a tough time for David Bedingham as he hit the first boundary off Joseph, while Tristan Stubbs couldn’t get going. Stubbs was reprieved first by an lbw appeal and a close edge, only to be pouched at third slip shortly before lunch as Kavem Hodge ended with three wickets. South Africa were 64 for four at the close.
Joseph almost picked Bedingham off again shortly after the break, but a review saved him. Joseph then took a catch behind to send Bedingham on his way. Seales then removed the last recognised pair by leaving Wiaan Mulder and Joseph trapping Keshav Maharaj for a duck as well, with Kyle Verreynne given out LBW to Rahkeem Cornwall at 97 for nine.
Piedt though offered some late resistance, stitching 29 runs with a few boundaries to his name as South Africa crossed the three-figure mark. Piedt and Burger added some useful runs down the order before Burger fell lbw as West Indies tried to rush through their wickets. West Indies need to bat well to take a first-innings lead after South Africa were bowled out for 141.
Rabada getting an lbw decision against Braithwaite that was overturned underlined the tone for Burger’s crucial wicket of Louis, in addition to 2-19 from four overs on debut. Keacy Carty’s attacking strokeplay only added to West Indies’ batting woes, and by the time Mulder pulled off that outstanding catch and had three other wickets to show for his efforts,WI were down horrifically at 47 for six. Holder fought on gamely and hung around for a 41-run partnership with Gudakesh Motie, but Maharaj had the last laugh as he trapped Motie lbw.
Day Two will be all about moments and excitement in the ongoing South Africa vs West Indies series as with this lead to WI, they are behind by 63 runs, with three of their wickets left.