Kagiso Rabada claimed his 10th five-wicket haul to lead South Africa’s rout of the West Indies by an innings and 63 runs midway through the third day of the first Test at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in St. Lucia.
West Indies, facing a first innings deficit of 225, resumed the final day precariously placed at 82-4 and were eventually dismissed for 162.
Final scores: West Indies 97 and 162; South Africa 322.
Rabada was outstanding on day three, adding three more wickets to his overnight two, to end with 5-34 off 20 overs. Anrich Nortje, who took 4-35 in the first innings, took 3-46, while left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj claimed 2-23.
Roston Chase made the only score of note for the Caribbean side, a fighting 62 off 156 balls, as no other batsman got past Kieran Powell’s 14.
Quinton deKock, for his career-best, unbeaten 141 in South Africa’s lone innings, was named Man-of-the-Match.
What the captains said (Source: ESPNCricinfo)
Kraigg Brathwaite (West Indies): “We saw today some variable bounce, the pitch was a little dry, but we didn’t bat well in the first innings so under pressure from the start. Always on the back foot.”
“They are quality bowlers but even batting second we thought they would be quality. Second Test, we’ve got to bat better. As a group we bowled well, and Seales in his first Test was magnificent. Chase showed fight today, but that first innings hampered us a lot.”
On Seales: “He’s a special talent and has a natural length. He has a bright future.”
“We’ll take a little break and come back. For me it’s about getting your mind in the right place. More mental than technical.”
Dean Elgar (South Africa): “Collective effort by the side, a three-week process leading to this Test so it didn’t come by luck. Asked individuals to score hundreds and get five-fors, and we’ve got three accolades.”
“If there was anything in the wicket, it was going to be first innings, we bowled brilliantly, and our batting unit passed 300…we’ve been struggling to great to put a stamp of authority on the bowling attack.”
“The basics of bowling applied on a wicket like that, always one with your name on it, so have to execute your skill and utilise the facilities.”
“Lungi was brilliant, he executed the basics to a T. Quinny showed the world-class cricketer that he is, and KG tries his backside off, great to reap his reports today. Anrich is a massive trump card, a bit shorter so skiddier, and at 140+ kph. A great balance that we have at the moment.”
The second and final Test starts on June 18 at the same venue.
