What happened the last time the West Indies beat South Africa in a Test?
The ongoing second Test of the two-match series between South Africa and the West Indies in Guyana has grabbed the headlines with 25 wickets falling in the first two days. At Lunch on Day 3, the hosts need 220 runs to win with three wickets in hand.
The West Indies won their first-ever Test match on South African soil in 2007. The Boxing Day Test was played at St. George's Park in Port Elizabeth. Incidentally, this was the last time the Windies beat the Proteas in a Test.
Batting first, the visitors piled on 408 runs in the first innings with Shivnarine Chanderpaul scoring an impressive century (104). Chris Gayle (66) and Marlon Samuels (94) also played handy knocks. An experienced bowling lineup comprising Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Dale Steyn, Paul Harris, and Jacques Kallis failed to dislodge the West Indies batting line-up in bowler-friendly conditions.
The Windies bowlers took full advantage of the conditions and bundled out the hosts for a below-par first-innings score of 195. Dwayne Bravo was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets, with Darren Powell and Jerome Taylor taking three wickets apiece. Apart from AB De Villiers, who scored 59 runs, no other batter could score more than 50.
The third innings of the Test witnessed another batting collapse as West Indies were bowled out for 175. Paul Harris picked up four wickets as Darren Ganga played a fighting 45-run knock.
Chasing 389 for victory, South Africa were reduced to 45-4. Jacques Kallis (85) and AB De Villiers (60) tried to salvage the situation but failed to get their team over the finishing line as the Proteas fell short by 128 runs. The duo of Fidel Edwards and Jerome Taylor picked up three wickets apiece.
West Indies created history and Marlon Samuels was named Man of the Match. Since the said match, the two nations have competed in 13 Tests, with West Indies having lost 10 and drawn three Tests.
South Africa have an impressive track record against the West Indies in Tests
South Africa enjoy a significant advantage over the West Indies in Tests. The two sides have gone up 33 times against each other in red-ball cricket, with the Windies winning just three and losing 22, while eight matches ended in draws.
Of the three Tests the West Indies have won, two came in the Caribbean, while one was away from home.
It's been over 16 years since West Indies won a Test match against South Africa. They will hope to end the drought by winning the ongoing Test in Guyana.