South Africa ease to 284-run victory over the West Indies in the second Test match, taking a clean sweep of the two-match Test series. Temba Bavuma smashed a career-best 172 and was supported by Gerald Coetzee and Simon Harmer, who shared three wickets each. However, the win came at a cost for the South Africans, as spinner Keshav Maharaj was stretchered off the field after he injured himself while exuberantly celebrating a wicket.
South Africa’s Dominant Performance
South Africa had set the tourists an improbable target of 391 for victory on day four, but skittled them out for 106 in 35.1 overs as spinner Harmer took advantage of the turn on offer. He recorded figures of 3-45, while Coetzee put in a fiery spell to finish with 3-37. Joshua Da Silva was the only West Indies batsman to offer resistance, scoring 34 runs. However, he was unable to keep out the South African attack, which had pace and bounce.
Bavuma’s Maiden Test Double Century
South Africa started day four on 287 for seven, with Bavuma seeking to record a maiden Test double-century after reaching three figures for only the second time in his 56-match career. However, he added just one run to his overnight score before he was caught on the pull by Kemar Roach off the bowling of the excellent Jason Holder (3-48). West Indies eventually dismissed the hosts for 321, one more than South Africa’s first innings score.
IMAGE: Temba Bavuma smashed a career-best 172. Photograph: Siphiwe Sibeko / Reuters
“I think from the time we made the decision about the composition of the team (playing two spinners), we were hoping the conditions would end up playing this way and fortunately we got it right,” Bavuma said at the post-match presentation. “The guys played their role. Simon, Kesh played really well. I’m very satisfied and glad I was able to contribute.”
The victory may have come at a cost for South Africa though, with spinner Keshav Maharaj stretchered off the field after he injured himself while exuberantly celebrating a wicket.
West Indies Struggles
The West Indies were never likely to chase down the victory target themselves. Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada (2-19) picked up touring captain Kraigg Brathwaite (18) for the fourth time in as many innings, and the visitors were soon reeling on 34-6. The major damage was done by Harmer and Maharaj (2-4) as they bamboozled the West Indies batsmen with some excellent guile on a wicket offering assistance. Coetzee finished things off with three late wickets.
Post-Match Comments
They ripped through the middle order before Coetzee finished things off with three late wickets. “The bowlers got 40 wickets in the series and that’s a good accomplishment,” Brathwaite said.
“Batting wise, we weren’t good enough. We didn’t score enough runs, as simple as that. They (South Africa) are a very good attack. Away from home we haven’t scored enough runs.”
South African captain Bavuma spoke highly of his team’s performance, especially the two spinners, and said he was glad to contribute. Meanwhile, West Indies captain Brathwaite was critical of his team’s batting performance, stating they had not scored enough runs.
Conclusion
South Africa’s dominant performance was well-deserved, and they will be pleased to have claimed a clean sweep of the two-match Test series. They will now look to continue their form in the three-match One-Day International series and the three Twenty20 International fixtures.
