3 big takeaways from 1st West Indies-South Africa Test
The opening Test between West Indies and South Africa ended in a stalemate after rain played a massive part all through the five days. South Africa wanted to enforce a result on the final day of the Test and declared their second innings at 173/3, giving themselves an outside chance to make a match of it.
West Indies came into the series after surrendering meekly against England in the three-match away series, losing 0-3 but the home series against the Proteas was always going to be a hard-fought contest. When South Africa secured a massive first innings lead, it looked like they had the ascendancy.
However, a brilliant knock in the final innings from Alick Athanaze was instrumental in helping West Indies salvage a draw. The second Test will get underway on August 15 and both teams have an equal chance of registering a series victory.
Rain played spoilsport for the majority of Day 1 before South Africa eventually went on to post a competitive score of 356. On the back of superb spells from Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada, South Africa restricted the hosts to 233.
West Indies were set a target of 297 in the second innings at one stage it looked like they were going for the target. However, a few quick quick wickets meant that West Indies had to shut shop and settle for the draw.
Having said that, let's have a look at three big takeaways from the opening Test:
#1 The bowling performance of Keshav Maharaj
One of the biggest takeaways from South Africa’s perspective was the performance of Keshav Maharaj. He was at his incredible best and bagged 8 wickets during the match on a pitch that had runs on offer if you applied yourself.
Maharaj was immaculate with his lengths and managed to extract enough turn from the pitch to trouble the West Indies batters. He mixed his off breaks with the arm balls and made things difficult for the opposition batters.
He bagged the wickets of Mikyle Louis, Keacy Kaety, Alick Athanaze, and Joshua Da Silva in the first innings which restricted West Indies to a below-par score of 233 in the first innings. It was again Maharaj who put the brakes on the hosts in the second innings.
As South Africa tried to enforce a result, Maharaj kept bowling the attacking lengths and managed to induce false shots from the Windies' top and middle-order batters. Kraigg Brathwaite was dismissed on the third ball of the final innings. Maharaj went on to add three more to finish with figures of 4/88.
#2 South Africa going for the win despite rain playing spoilsport
With rain having played a massive part, chances of enforcing a result seemed bleak for the Proteas. They could have shut shop and batted out the final day without showing any real intent but it was anything but that. Tony de Zorzi and Aiden Markram provided a perfect start as the visitors raced to 57/0 in the first 10 overs.
Tristan Stubbs who has been given a new role at No 3 and despite failing in the first innings, the platform was set for Stubbs. He was sent with a clear message to attack and he didn't disappoint. He came down hard on the West Indies, scoring a quickfire 68 off 50 deliveries.
They declared the innings with 64 overs left in the day’s place giving them an outside chance of bowling out the hosts. Keshav Maharaj in particular made things happen but a superb knock from Alick Athanaze ensured West Indies salvaged a draw.
#3 Temba Bavuma getting back in form and Stubbs flourishing in his new role
Coming into this game, the South African skipper Temba Bavuma was short of runs. Despite having a sound technique and a penchant for runs, Bavuma hasn't been as consistent in the longest format as he would have wanted.
However, he has a good record against West Indies and oozed class and confidence during his brilliant knock in the first innings. While he couldn't quite convert his start into a century, the knock of 86 was enough to help South Africa post a competitive score of 357.
Meanwhile, Proteas' head coach Shukri Conrad wants to give Tristan Stubbs a long run at No. 3 and he didn't disappoint in his new role. After failing in the first innings, he went berserk in the second, helping South Africa set an unrealistic victory target for West Indies.