de Kock, bowlers leave West Indies wobbling

West Indies were in deep trouble by stumps on the second day of the first Test against South Africa at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in St. Lucia. Facing a huge deficit of 225, West Indies closed on a shaky 82-4, still trailing by 143 runs.

Roston Chase is not on 21 and Jermaine Blackwood on 10, and they face the uphill task of batting West Indies out of danger on day three.

Skipper Kraigg Brathwaite (7), concussion substitute Kieran Powell (14), and Shai Hope and Kyle Mayers (12 each) all fell cheaply, as fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje took two wickets each to rock the hosts’ top-order.

Earlier, South Africa extended their overnight 128-4 to 322 all out, thanks largely to Quinton de Kock, whose career-best, unbeaten 141 took the game beyond West Indies, who were dismissed for 97 in their first innings.

It was the left-hander’s sixth Test hundred, and one that strengthened South Africa’s grip on the contest.

West Indies had pegged things back at 233-8, but the last two wickets added 89 runs, with de Kock being the dominant scorer.

The 28-year-old dominated a ninth-wicket stand of 79 with Nortje, whose contribution was a mere seven off 29 balls.

de Kock faced 170 balls and struck 12 fours and seven sixes.

Bowling for West Indies, Jason Holder took 4-75, debutant Jayden Seales 3-75 and Kemar Roach 2-64.