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Temba Bavuma's South Africa secured a comprehensive 40-run victory over West Indies on the third and final day of the second Test, solidifying their dominance over the Caribbean side. With this South Africa clinched the series 1-0 after the first match ended in a draw.
South Africa Clinch Series Win Over West Indies
Presented with a challenging target of 263 after Jayden Seales' impressive six-wicket haul dismissed the Proteas for 246 in their second innings, the West Indies batting line-up struggled to build substantial partnerships. Despite their efforts, they were eventually bowled out for 222. In a dramatic turn of events, Seales, the architect of the West Indies' first-innings fightback, became the last wicket to fall, dismissed by Keshav Maharaj just moments before the scheduled close of play. Maharaj's catch, expertly taken by David Bedingham at short leg, marked the end of the match and sealed South Africa's series win.
South Africa maintain 25-year-long record over West Indies
The victory solidified South Africa's unblemished record against the West Indies in Test cricket, dating back to their first encounter in the 1998/99 season. Shaun Pollock's South African team had delivered a resounding 5-0 whitewash over Brian Lara's West Indies side in that series, marking the beginning of a consistent dominance. Notably, West Indies had defeated South Africa in a one-off Test match in Barbados in 1992, that encounter marked Proteas' return to Test cricket after a 22-year absence due to apartheid.
Maharaj and Rabada Share Bowling Honours
Keshav Maharaj's left-arm orthodox spin proved to be effective, as he claimed three wickets for 37 runs. Kagiso Rabada contributed three wickets for 50 runs, sharing the bowling workload. The 29-year-old fast bowler is now just one wicket away from reaching the significant milestone of 300 Test wickets.
South Africa faced a brief period of uncertainty when Gudakesh Motie and Joshua da Silva forged a 77-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Motie, with a Test-best 45, and da Silva's 27 lifted the West Indies from a precarious position of 104 for six. However, the reintroduction of Keshav Maharaj proved decisive, as he dismissed both batters in consecutive overs with lbw dismissals. A stunning leaping catch by Temba Bavuma at mid-on off Shamar Joseph brought Kagiso Rabada within one wicket of his 300th Test scalp. Maharaj completed the rout, despite a late flurry of runs from Jomel Warrican.
Wiaan Mulder was deservedly named player of the match. The seam bowling all-rounder capitalized on his rare Test opportunity, claiming six wickets in the match and contributing a valuable 34 runs in the second innings.
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