The Proteas bowlers were ruthless on Day 3 knocking over the West Indies for 159 to claim an 87-run victory in the 1st Test. | ✍️ Khalid Mohidin from Centurion.
ALSO READ: Proteas set Windies 247 to win | 1st Test Day 3 | South Africa vs West Indies
The Proteas opened the bowling with Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje. Rabada removed the Windies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite for the second time just before lunch. After lunch both bowlers bowled with discipline and accuracy, beating the outside edge consistently and Nortje finding the edge a couple of times.
A dropped catch from Keegan Petersen on the third ball of Nortje’s first over in the slips could have been the perfect start after lunch, but it was not to be, as Tagenarine Chanderpaul survived an edge.
The pressure applied finally gave the Proteas the reward they deserved, Rabada drawing Raymon Reifer into a drive, which he edged to Heinrich Klaasen behind the stumps at the end of his 4th over. West Indies were reduced to 12-2 after 7 overs.
Marco Jansen’s second ball made up for the drop earlier on, getting the wicket of Chanderpaul. Fittingly it was Nortje who got the catch at midwicket.
Marco struck with his next delivery, Jansen bowling Roston Chase first ball, pinging the top of his off stump. The West Indies slumped to 20-4.
West Indies moved the score along, particularly thanks to Blackwood, but the Proteas kept the pressure on by taking wickets – Coetzee finding the edge of the dangerous Kyle Mayers (0) who found Dean Elgar’s safe hands at first slip. West Indies were reeling on 33-5 at this point.
The Centurion wicket was proving to not be as easy to bat on as many thought ahead of the match.
Blackwood batted beautifully to bring up his 18th career half-century taking the fight to the Proteas.
Joshua da Silva tried to stick around with his partner, but only managed 17 until KG struck again, finding his edge which flew to Petersen at third slip. WI was reduced to 91-6 after 25 overs.
The West Indies got themselves to 128 when Rabada found the edge of the dangerous Jason Holder (18 off 20 balls). The victory was within touching distance for the hosts.
The Windies chipped away at the deficit slightly, but Nortje broke the momentum again with his first of the day, Alzarri Joseph finding KG at long leg. The visitors lost their 8th for 139 runs needing 108 for victory.
The deficit was reduced to 90, when Rabada took his 13th five-wicket haul, removing the in-form Blackwood for a well-played 79 off 93 balls which included 12 fours.
Rabada (6-50) wrapped things up for the Proteas with his 6th, trapping Kemar Roach lbw to skittle WI for 159.
The Proteas won the first Test by 87 runs and went 1-0 in the two-match series.
