South Africa and West Indies had to settle for a draw in a rain-hit Test. Alick Athanaze turned out to be the star batter for the hosts with a 92-run knock. West Indies were 201/5 and needed 97 more runs to win the Test before the captains called it a draw with a few overs left in the play on Day 5.
Stubbs’ rampant knock
Earlier, starting at an overnight score of 30/0, South Africa posted 173/3 before Temba Bavuma declared the innings. Jomel Warrican got the breakthrough in the 11th over of the day. Tony de Zorzi was dismissed for 45. A few overs later, he dismissed Aiden Markram as well. The opener scored 38 runs from 48 balls. Tristan Stubbs went on a rampage and scored at a strike rate of 136. He hit six fours and two sixes in his 50-ball 68. As Stubbs got bowled by Kemar Roach, Bavuma declared the innings.
Athanaze attacks after early wickets
Chasing 298, West Indies got off to a poor start. Keshav Maharaj opened the bowling and got the wicket of skipper Kraigg Brathwaite for a three-ball duck. In his opening spell, Kagiso Rabada did the damage by dismissing youngster Mikyle Louis for a single-digit score.
Keacy Carty and Athanaze tried to stabilise the innings. But Maharaj struck again to get rid of Carty who scored 31 runs from 54 balls. As the day progressed, Athanaze took an attacking approach keeping the Proteas bowlers nervous. But he lacked support from the other end. Kavem Hodge edged one to wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne. Hodge scored 29 runs from 55 balls.
Athanaze kept West Indies in the hunt. The 25-year-old’s 92-run knock off 116 balls was laced with nine fours. He missed his maiden Test ton as Maharaj had his fifth scalp of the day. In the last 10 overs of the day, West Indies needed 106 runs to win. In the next three overs, only three runs were scored with Jason Holder and wicketkeeper-batter Joshua De Silva. Holder smashed a six to get the score past 200 and then players shook hands to call it a draw.
Maharaj lauds Athanaze
Maharaj who bagged eight wickets in the Test was named 'Player of the match'.
“Pride myself in Test cricket. Always ready to bowl. Was happy and just soldiered through Try and read conditions and see how I can get the best assistance. Then I try and keep it simple with my lines and lengths. Full credit to Athanaze, I just stuck to my guns, varied the lengths a bit and got the result,” the left-arm spinner said in the post-match presentation.
No change on WTC points table
There was no change in the standings of the two teams on the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 points table. South Africa are placed seventh and ninth respectively. They will have a chance to improve their standing in the second and final Test of the tour at Providence Stadium, Guyana starting August 15.
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