South Africa, despite being bowled out for a modest total of 160, managed to sneak ahead of the West Indies at the close of play on the opening day of the second Test in Guyana on Thursday, August 15. In a day dominated by bowlers, an incredible 17 wickets fell, making it a tumultuous day for both teams. Nevertheless, the West Indies will regret missing their chance to completely dominate South Africa, especially after having the visitors on the ropes at 97/9 before the Proteas staged a remarkable comeback, both with bat and ball.
Opting to bat first on what appeared to be a tricky surface, South Africa struggled significantly. The wickets began tumbling early, starting with Toni de Zorzi, taken out by a Jayden Seales beauty outside the off-stump in just the fourth over. From that point, the wickets fell regularly. Shamar Joseph wreaked havoc soon after, cleaning up Aiden Markram and then trapping South African skipper Temba Bavuma just two balls into his innings, leaving the visitors in deep trouble at 20/3.
Brief moments of stability came when Tristan Stubbs and David Bedingham took to the crease. Their partnership lasted for 72 balls, during which they played each ball on merit, carefully negotiating the seam movement that Joseph and Seales were extracting. Unfortunately for South Africa, the partnership ended when Jason Holder dismissed Stubbs for 26. This triggered another collapse, seeing South Africa plummet from 78/4 to 97/9.
Nandre Burger and off-spinner Dane Piedt, who were primarily included in the lineup for their bowling prowess, were not expected to be the ones to stabilize the innings. However, they rose to the occasion, first negotiating the Joseph-Seales spell effectively. Piedt, showing no fear, played his shots whenever the opportunity presented itself, while Burger provided solid resistance at the other end. Their valiant efforts helped South Africa reach 160 before Gudakesh Motie trapped Burger in front.
But the drama did not end with the South African innings.
. Burger quickly found his rhythm with the ball, dismissing Mickyle Louis in his very first over. South African spearhead Kagiso Rabada, however, remained wicketless in his initial spell. It was Wiaan Mulder’s medium pace that shook the foundation of the West Indies innings. Mulder sent back West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite and Alick Athanaze, the hero of the first Test, in consecutive overs. This initiated a collapse for the hosts as well. West Indies quickly found themselves reeling with half their side back in the pavilion, owing to the combined efforts of Mulder and Burger.
Jason Holder, however, held fort at one end. He found some support from Gudakesh Motie and together they stitched a 41-run partnership, which started to resemble the earlier Piedt-Burger stand for South Africa. However, just when it seemed like the West Indies might stabilize, Keshav Maharaj, the golden arm for South Africa, broke the partnership just before stumps.
At the end of the day, the West Indies trailed by 63 runs, ironically the exact amount of runs that Piedt and Burger added in their record 10th wicket partnership. The hosts were left to rue missed opportunities as the South African lower order’s heroics ensured that the visitors went into the second day with the upper hand. Holder, still unbeaten on 33, will be critical for the West Indies if they are to reduce the deficit and mount a competitive total.
The dramatic unfolding on the first day of the second Test promises an exciting continuation as both teams look to edge out each other in what has already been a fiercely contested series. With the pitch showing signs of unpredictability, the match stands finely poised, and the performances over the next couple of days will be crucial in determining the outcome. The cricket world keenly watches as the Test progresses, ready for more twists and turns.
