OBAKENG MELETSE
The Proteas’ push for their first win of the tour of the West Indies ended in vain as a rain-dominated first Test ended in a draw at the Queens Park Oval in Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday.
The result means the second Test will be a winner-takes-all affair, and a lot will be at stake with South Africa having never lost a series against the West Indies since readmission. The second Test will get under way on Thursday at the Providence Stadium in Guyana (3.30pm).
“From a batting point of view, when I look at the way we went about our business in the second innings, we came out with positive intent trying to buy ourselves as much time by taking on the game.” – Temba Bavuma
South Africa ended day four on 30-0 with a lead of 154 runs going into final day. The visitors were in a race against time and as expected, they put the foot on the accelerator with the first session of the final day accounting for 143 runs in 24 overs.
The Temba Bavuma-led Proteas set the Windies a target of 298, with a required run rate of over four runs per over. South Africa went on the attack and introduced spin as early as the first over.
The visitors managed to reduce the home side to 192-5 but ultimately with the match losing seven sessions, it was a tough ask for Bavuma and his side to dismiss the home side within two sessions on a wicket that was still fairly decent for batting.
“We wanted to have a little bit more time,” he said.
“We tried our best to make the most of what was put in front of us. I think at the end of the day the elements, the weather, probably got the best of what could have been a competitive game of cricket.
“With the bowling, it was always going to be tough, the limited time we had. I think the guys gave it a good shot. Keshav (Maharaj), again a strong, valiant effort from him, supported by KG (Kagiso Rabada) as well, who always seems to kind of get something out of the wicket every now and then, and obviously the supporting act from the other guys.
“From a batting point of view, when I look at the way we went about our business in the second innings, we came out with positive intent trying to buy ourselves as much time by taking on the game.”
Player-of-the-Match Maharaj struck a perfect balance between defence and attack, picking up a handy eight wickets, while Tristan Stubbs afforded the visitors a great chance to move the Test forward and to push for victory with his quickfire innings of 68 off 50 balls, scoring his first half-century in Test cricket in the process.
“There were some strong individual performances. Keshav carried the bowling attack from his end, he will take a lot of confidence from that performance, but it is nothing surprising because that is the Keshav we know,” Bavuma said.
“The younger guys also did well. A guy like Stubbs in the second innings, getting his half-century. What was exciting was how he went on in his innings after having not scored in the first innings, but being confident enough to take on the game and really express himself. It speaks a lot about the character of the guy, and I’m certain he will use that for his confidence moving ahead.”