Watch cricket video highlights of South Africa of West Indies 2024 first test between West Indies vs South Africa. Venue of the match will be Port of Spain.
Weather allowing, an exciting final day is planned for a Test that appeared destined for a draw, after South Africa took the game by storm on the fourth evening. Even though there were only two hours of play on Saturday, South Africa managed to put themselves in a position to challenge for a victory by bowling the West Indies out for 233 and then scoring 30 runs in five overs to take a 124-run lead in the first innings.
Rain has impacted every day of this Test so far, and with over 50mm of rain falling in some parts of the island and a yellow-level alert in effect, it appeared like the match would stall, if it would start at all, today. However, South Africa grabbed command when play at Queen’s Park Oval resumed following a six-hour break. In order to guarantee they would be batting again before the end of the day, they induced a West Indian collapse of 6 for 60 in 16.1 overs.
It’s remarkable enough that this much has transpired considering the total amount of time wasted, especially on the first and fourth days. Despite the limited number of overs—only 15 on day one and 30 on day four—the action was engaging despite being cut short. South Africa was 13 overs away from the second new ball when play resumed, and they had spin from both ends, thus Aiden Markram had to open the day’s play.
Jason Holder quickly seized the chance to exert pressure on the white-ball skipper of South Africa by hitting the opening ball past the covers for four runs. He then struck Markram towards deep midwicket and over mid-off, but Markram emerged victorious in the mini-battle when he crushed Holder’s off stump in his tenth over. After three balls, Joshua da Silva was caught at mid-on by Keshav Maharaj, who took his fourth wicket of the innings.
When Kemar Roach, on 0, popped a chance up off the outside edge in the direction of David Bedingham at silly point, Maharaj would have had five in his next over. Bedingham’s outstretched right hand just managed to catch the ball, requiring fast reflexes and a little bit of luck to stay. As soon as the new ball was made available, South Africa continued to use the spinners. After bowling an eight-over session, Markram was replaced by Kagiso Rabada, who claimed his 292nd Test wicket with the fourth delivery of the match.
Bedingham dismissed Kavem Hodge with ease, making no mistakes at first-slip. Rabada’s discipline kept tearing up the inferior West Indies order. When a full delivery was delivered, Gudakesh Motie closed the bat face prematurely and edged to Markram at second slip. Roach was hit on the front pad right below the knee-roll and out leg before wicket. Upon reviewing, all he saw were three reds on the ball-tracking replay.
Maharaj, on the other hand, persisted and only encountered difficulties when Jomel Warrican challenged him. At the beginning of his 38th over, Warrican blasted Maharaj over his head for six; he bowled all 38 in quick succession. Two balls later, he drove Maharaj over long-on for another six. Jayden Seales had some strong intent as well, smashing Maharaj for four over midwicket to close his 39th over.
Lungi Ngidi (in place of Rabada) bowled Seales to capture his first wicket of the match, denying Maharaj the chance to record his ninth Test five-for. Over the course of two days, Maharaj bowled 40 overs without alteration from the Media Center end. South Africa was eager to score as many runs as they could since further rain was predicted for Sunday. Markam and de Zorzi therefore set out with purpose.
They were fast between the wickets and active at the crease. With back-to-back cover drives off Roach’s second over, Markram displayed his class. De Zorzi blasted Seales in the air past point for four in the final over of the day, and two balls later, he lunged for a wide ball and got a thick outside edge. Hodge completed a dismal day for the West Indies when he fumbled the ball at first slip after he hesitated for a split second and managed to get both hands on it.
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