Shamar Joseph’s dream start to Test cricket continued, but Wiaan Mulder and Nandre Burger led a spirited fightback for the touring South Africans on Thursday, day one of the second Test at the National Stadium, Providence.
After winning the toss and batting first, South Africa was bowled out for 160 in 54 overs, while the West Indies were 97-7 after 28.2 overs in reply, trailing by 63 runs at stumps on day one.
South Africa quickly regretted their decision to bat first as Tony de Zorzi (1), Aiden Markram (14), Temba Bavuma (0), and Tristan Stubbs (26) all fell before the 25th over, leaving them reeling at 57-4.
That quickly became 97-9 when Kyle Verreynne, their last recognized batsman, became Shamar Joseph’s fifth victim of the innings with just 36.1 overs on the board.
With the West Indies seemingly on the brink of restricting South Africa to less than 100, Dane Piedt and Nandre Burger showed grit, fighting off some quality West Indian bowling on the way to a final wicket partnership of 63 before Burger finally fell off the bowling of Gudakesh Motie for 23 in the 54th over.
David Bedingham was South Africa’s top scorer in the first innings with 28.
Joseph finished with figures of 5-33 off 14 overs and was supported well by Jayden Seales, who took 3-45, also from 14 overs.
The West Indian reply got off to a disappointing start when Mikyle Louis was bowled by Burger for a duck in the second over.
The hosts then continued to lose wickets at regular intervals as Kraigg Brathwaite (3), Alick Athanaze (1), Kavem Hodge (4), Keacy Carty (26), and Joshua Da Silva (4) all fell within the first 20 overs.
Jason Holder has provided the only meaningful resistance to the South African bowling with 33*, while Gudakesh Motie’s wicket for 11 in the 29th over signaled the end of the day’s play.
Wiaan Mulder has dominated the West Indian batting so far with a career-best 4-18 off six overs, while Burger has taken 2-32 from his seven overs. (SportsMax)
