Kargiso Rabada sent back Jermaine Blackwood in the third-day morning of the first Test paving the way for a convincing victory for the Proteas on Saturday (12)[/caption]
Scores:
West Indies 97 (Jason Holder 20, Shai Hope 15, Kraigg Brathwaite 15, Rahkeem Cornwall 13; Lungi Ngidi 5/19, Anrich Nortje 4/35) and 162 (Roston Chase 62, Kieran Powell 14, Jermaine Blackwood 13, Kemar Roach 13 n.o., Kyle Mayers 12, Shai Hope 12; Kagiso Rabada 5/34,Anrich Nortje 3/46, Keshav Maharaj 2/23)
South Africa 322 (Quinton de Kock 141 n.o., Aiden Markram 60, Rassie van der Dussen 46, Wiaan Mulder 25, Keegan Petersen 19; Jason Holder 4/75, Jayden Seales 3/75, Kemar Roach 2/64)
Result: West Indies win by an innings and 63 runs
Player of the Match: Quinton de Kock
Test Match No.: 2,424
Debuts: Jayden Seales (WI), Keegen Petersen, and Kyle Verreynne (SA)
Umpires: Gregory Brathwaite and Joel Wilson
Match Referee: Richie Richardson
Next Match: Friday (18) at same venue
Kagiso Rabada’s first five-wicket haul in three years helped South Africa to a convincing innings and 63-run win over the West Indies in their first Test that ended before third day’s lunch break on Saturday (12) at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St. Lucia. The visitors took a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
It was a welcome return to form in Test cricket for the South Africans, who registered their first victory away from home in the format since 2017 to climb to sixth position on the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Test Championship standings.
Key players revived
Fittingly, it was a result that saw key players end their own lean spells as well, noted icc-cricket. In the West Indies’ first innings of 97, Lungi Ngidi claimed his first five-wicket haul since taking six wickets on debut against India in 2018.
In South Africa’s first innings total of 322, the eventual Player of the Match Quinton de Kock scored an unbeaten 141, notching his first Test ton since 2019.
And in the match’s final chapter, where the West Indies were knocked over for 162, Rabada (5/34) collected his first Test five-for since March 2018.
Importance of five-fors
“You measure the highest accolades in cricket by scoring hundreds and taking five-fors and ten-fors,” Rabada said. “It’s something you always strive to do. Unfortunately, it hasn’t happened for me in recent years but I’m glad that’s happened today.
“The only thing you can judge yourself on is being consistent in your preparation. It’s like scoring a hundred. Who wouldn’t be happy with scoring a hundred? I am really glad with the performance I put in.”
Early reprieve for Windies
The pace spearhead had put the wheels in motion for an innings victory during the final session on day two, accounting for both West Indies’ openers before Anrich Nortje (3/46) chimed in to leave the hosts four down by stumps.
The West Indies’ hopes of an easier day were put to rest early as Jermaine Blackwood was tormented by Lungi Ngidi (0/31) before perishing to Rabada.
DRS coming handy
Ngidi had celebrated the dismissal of Blackwood in the fourth over of the day only for the batsman to wisely call for decision review (DRS), which confirmed a catch down the leg-side had come off his thigh pad rather than bat.
Four balls later, Blackwood was given out again against Ngidi, and again had it overturned on DRS – the delivery predicted to miss leg-stump.
Roston Chase’s lone resistance
Just eight balls after that, the South Africans got their man as Rabada had him caught at short cover, ending a 46-run stand.
Finger-spinner Keshav Maharaj (2/23) then hastened the collapse by bowling Jason Holder (4) and Roston Chase (62) to leave the West Indies limping at 140/7. Chase’s patient 62 off 156 was the lone score above 20 by a batter from the hosts for the match.
Job done soon
Rahkeem Cornwall was unable to turn the tide from there, falling for a duck to Rabada in the next over, popping one to mid-off attempting the extravagant.
Rabada went on to wrap up his five-for when he bowled Joshua Da Silva for nine, ending his stubborn 51 ball resistance before Nortje ended the match by dismissing debutant Jayden Seales (3).