South Africa emerged victorious after a fierce battle against the West Indies in the second and final Test of the series, securing a win by 40 runs on Saturday, August 17. This victory not only clinched the series 1-0 for the Proteas but also propelled them past Pakistan in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, marking their second win in the current edition of the Test tournament.
The match, which took place at the Providence Stadium in Guyana, witnessed intense competition as South Africa set a target of 263 runs for the West Indies to chase. Brilliant performances from Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj, who each took three wickets, helped South Africa defend the target despite a resilient effort from the West Indian batsmen. Vital contributions from Wiaan Mulder with both bat and ball highlighted the collective team effort that South Africa showcased to secure their win.
South Africa’s triumph advanced them to fifth place in the WTC standings, thereby relegating Pakistan to sixth place. The Proteas now have a record of 2 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw from 6 matches, with a points percentage (PCT) of 38.89. In contrast, Pakistan’s standing reflects 2 wins and 3 losses from 5 games with a PCT of 36.66. India continues to lead the nine-team WTC table with a dominant PCT of 68.51, followed by the defending champions, Australia, at 62.50. Meanwhile, the West Indies find themselves languishing at the bottom, with only 1 win, 6 losses, and 2 draws, resulting in a PCT of 18.52, putting them virtually out of contention for a spot in the WTC final.
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Returning to the second innings drama, Kagiso Rabada made an early impact by dismissing West Indies opener Mikyle Louis in the fifth over, catching an edge to the slips. Captain Kraigg Brathwaite, a key figure for the Windies, was dismissed for 25 runs, bringing the hosts to a precarious position at 104/6, teetering on the verge of a significant defeat.
However, the West Indies were not ready to capitulate without a fight. Gudakesh Motie and Joshua Da Silva forged a determined partnership, adding 77 runs and narrowing the target to within 100 runs. Just when it appeared that the Windies might stage a remarkable comeback, Keshav Maharaj intervened decisively, dismissing both set batsmen in consecutive overs, thereby derailing the hosts’ chase. Despite a spirited effort from Jomel Warrican, who contributed 25 runs batting at number nine, the West Indies ultimately fell short by 40 runs.
Earlier in the match, South Africa managed to put up a total of 246 runs in their second innings after having a brief lead of 16 runs from the first inning. Key contributions came from Kyle Verreynne and Aiden Markram, both of whom scored fifties. However, their efforts were countered by Jayden Seales, who delivered a stellar performance, claiming six wickets in the second innings.
In the first innings, South Africa struggled in challenging conditions, managing to post only 160 runs. Shamar Joseph shone for the West Indies, taking a five-wicket haul. The hosts, in reply, could not significantly outshine the visitors, managing only 144 runs, falling just short like they did in their second innings, which set the stage for an exhilarating conclusion to the series.
South Africa’s win at Providence Stadium highlighted their resilience and teamwork, crucial for their rise in the WTC standings. As they continue their quest for top honors in international Test cricket, their performance in Guyana will undoubtedly be a cornerstone of their 2023 campaign, providing momentum and a template for upcoming challenges.
