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Despite being bowled out for a modest 160 runs, Temba Bavuma-led South Africa managed to gain a slight advantage over the West Indies at the end of the first day of the second Test in Guyana. The match was characterised by a flurry of wickets, with a total of 17 falling on the day.
South Africa on top after Day 1
While the West Indies bowlers enjoyed early success, reducing South Africa to a precarious 97/9, the Proteas staged a remarkable comeback with both bat and ball. The South African innings got off to a disastrous start as Jayden Seales struck early, dismissing Tony de Zorzi. Shamar Joseph continued the onslaught, removing Aiden Markram and captain Temba Bavuma in quick succession, leaving the visitors reeling at 20/3.
Tristan Stubbs and David Bedingham managed to stabilize the innings for a brief period, building a 72-run partnership. The duo showed resilience against the challenging bowling conditions, successfully negotiating the seam movement generated by Joseph and Seales. However, the partnership was eventually broken when Jason Holder dismissed Stubbs for 26. Bedingham's dismissal triggered another collapse, with South Africa losing five wickets for just 19 runs to slump to 97/9. The unexpected burden of batting then fell on the shoulders of the newly introduced bowlers, Nandre Burger and Dane Piedt.
Piedt and Burger displayed remarkable resilience, successfully weathering the fierce bowling attack of Joseph and Seales. They employed a solid defensive strategy while also seizing opportunities to counterattack. Piedt, in particular, showed aggression and played his shots confidently.
Despite the lower order's valiant efforts, South Africa's innings eventually came to an end when Gudakesh Motie dismissed Burger, leaving the team with a total of 160 runs.
South African strike back against West Indies
South Africa made an immediate impact with the ball, as Nandre Burger dismissed Mikyle Louis in the first over of the West Indies innings. Kagiso Rabada, on the other hand, struggled to find his rhythm in his initial spell. Wiaan Mulder turned the tide for South Africa with two crucial wickets in consecutive overs, removing West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite and the hero of the first Test, Alick Athanaze. This triggered a collapse, as the home team lost half of their side with Burger and Mulder wreaking havoc.
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Jason Holder and Gudakesh Motie formed a crucial partnership, adding 41 runs to the scoreboard. Their stand began to resemble the resilience shown by Piedt and Burger earlier in the day. However, South Africa's Keshav Maharaj intervened, breaking the partnership and giving his team a significant advantage heading into the second day. The West Indies still trail by 63 runs, a deficit equal to the record 10th wicket partnership achieved by Piedt and Burger. Holder, the not-out batsman with 33 runs, will be crucial for the hosts to minimize their first-innings deficit.
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