In a Nail-Biting Finish on the dramatic third day of Saturday’s second and final Test, South Africa overcame the West Indies by 40 runs to further solidify their hold on the Caribbean region.
On a dramatic third day of Saturday’s second and final Test, South Africa overcame the West Indies by 40 runs to further solidify their hold on the Caribbean region. The host team lost wickets at regular intervals to be knocked for 222 after fast bowler Jayden Seales’ Test-best figures of six for 61 defeated the Proteas for 246 in their second innings in the morning session. The goal of 263 was set. Seales was the final wicket to fall, a tragic twist of destiny that occurred minutes before the planned end of play. His performance, along with David Bedingham’s catch, was a testament to the skill and determination of the players.
Since their first series encounter in 1998/99, when Shaun Pollock’s squad destroyed the visitors led by Brian Lara 5-0, South Africa has won all their Test series against the West Indies.
In 1992, the West Indies triumphed over South Africa in a one-off match held in Barbados. This was the Africans’ first official Test match, having been excluded from the competition for 22 years due to the apartheid regime in their home country.
Maharaj scored three for 37 with his left-arm orthodox spin.
With three wickets taken for fifty during the innings, Kagiso Rabada, a 29-year-old fast bowler, was one wicket away from taking 300 wickets in Test cricket.
Maharaj, whose three wickets moved him one wicket clear of Hugh Tayfield’s 170 to become the most successful spinner in South African Test history, expressed his satisfaction. “For a team that is in a transition phase we really did well to come away with this success,” Maharaj said.
“Regardless of the various formats I play, I always include preparation for Test cricket in my approach. I have a crimson ball in my backpack at all times.”
Temba Bavuma, his captain, was highly praised by Maharaj for his encouraging faith in slow bowlers.
“He backs and trusts spin,” he clarified.
He contributed his thoughts and let me read the game. It is an honor to be on his side.”
The one nervous moment for South Africa was during a 77-run seventh-wicket partnership between wicketkeeper-batsman Joshua da Silva (27), who top-scored with a Test-best 45, and Gudakesh Motie (45).
They managed to rally their side from 104 for six in the middle of the day. Still, Maharaj’s return to the field proved to be the game-changing moment as he trapped Motie and da Silva for leg before wicket in back-to-back overs.
Rabada then claimed his 299th Test wicket thanks to a brilliant leaping catch made by Bavuma at mid-on off Shamar Joseph. Maharaj finished the job despite a few fierce strokes from Jomel Warrican (25 not out) at the other end.
The seam bowling all-rounder Wiaan Mulder won man of the match, making the most of an uncommon chance to play Test cricket. Mulder scored a crucial 34 runs in the game’s second innings and took six wickets overall.
“I just wanted the chance to play because I haven’t played much Test cricket of late,” he stated.
“I just tried to bowl as many wobble seam balls as I could because I felt there was enough in the conditions for the ball to swing naturally as well.”
Mulder was removed by Warrican leg-before, making him the first wicket to go of the day.
It was all Seales following then as he tore through the lower order to secure his second innings of five wickets in his inexperienced Test career.
The match’s outcome depended on the batting lineup failing in the opening innings, according to West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite, who took one of Mulder’s two wickets in the innings.
“It was good of us to dismiss them for 160, but we didn’t score enough runs to make up for it. It was necessary, he emphasized.
“Our mindset today was to have intent at the crease and even though myself and the other top-order batters didn’t deliver, it was good to see the fight from Motie and others lower down the order.”
Rain caused the first Test in Trinidad to end in a tie last week.
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