Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj guide South Africa to Test series victory over West Indies

South Africa clinched the two-match Test series against West Indies with a convincing 40-run victory in the second Test at the Guyana National Stadium. The Proteas bowling unit, led by Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj, bundled out the hosts for 144 on the final day to seal the series 1-0.

Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj star on Day 5

Resuming the day at 223/5, South Africa added just 21 runs to their overnight score before being bowled out for 246. Dane Piedt remained unbeaten on 7, while Nandre Burger (0) was the last man to be dismissed.

Needing 263 runs to win, the West Indies were reeling at 104/6 before a crucial partnership between Gudakesh Motie and Joshua Da Silva brought them back into contention. However, South Africa’s experienced duo of Maharaj and Rabada stemmed the tide, ultimately securing victory for the Proteas.

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Series victory boosts South Africa’s World Test Championship hopes

The series win is a significant boost for South Africa’s World Test Championship aspirations. They now have 28 points from six matches, while the West Indies remain at the bottom of the table in the current cycle.

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma praised his team’s resilience and the impact made by the bowlers. “The emotions were little bit up and down. Glad the weather held up. Both teams were in the game. We had to keep working hard. The game went our way fortunately. With a bit of inexperience, you kind of expect that. We leant on to the bowlers to deliver for us,” he said in the post-match presentation.

“Rabada leading the pacers and the spin department was led by Keshav. We just need to keep building. We are an inexperienced team. The more the guys play, the more confident they will become. We can be a formidable side,” Bavuma added.

West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite rued his team’s batting failures, stating: “Our first innings total was bad. We did well with the ball on the first day. The mindset was to have intent. We didn’t get the partnerships. There was some fight from Motie and the lower order. Some rash shots in the first innings. Our first innings was crucial.”

He added: “Bowlers did a fantastic job after losing the toss. We fought and fought back. The sky is the limit. Seales is a star. Joseph is similar. We also have Kemar who didn’t play. Very exciting indeed with the paceres we have.”

The two teams will now shift their focus to the T20I series, which begins on August 23 in Tarouba.

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August 18, 2024 at 09:52AM