On a dramatic third day of the second and final Test on Saturday, South Africa overcame the West Indies by 40 runs to further solidify their hold on the Caribbean region.
The host team lost wickets at regular intervals to be knocked for 222 after fast bowler Jayden Seales’ Test-best figures of six for 61 defeated the Proteas for 246 in their second innings in the morning session. The goal of 263 was set.
Seales was the final wicket to fall, a tragic twist of destiny that occurred minutes before the planned end of play. He was caught by David Bedingham at short leg for the 13th wicket in the two-match encounter by series man Keshav Maharaj.
Since their first series encounter in 1998/99, when Shaun Pollock’s squad destroyed the visitors led by Brian Lara 5-0, South Africa has won all of their Test series against the West Indies.
In 1992, the West Indies triumphed over South Africa in a one-off match held in Barbados. This was the Africans’ first official Test match, having been excluded from the competition for 22 years due to the apartheid regime in their home country.
Maharaj scored three for 37 with his left-arm orthodox spin. With three wickets taken for fifty during the innings, Kagiso Rabada, a 29-year-old fast bowler, was one wicket away from taking 300 wickets in Test cricket.
“For a team that is in a transition phase we really did well to come away with this success,” said a delighted Maharaj, whose three wickets lifted him one above Hugh Tayfield’s 170 as the most successful spinner in South Africa’s Test history.
“Getting ready for Test cricket is always part of my plan, no matter what other formats I play. I always have a red ball in my bag.”
Maharaj was full of praise for his captain, Temba Bavuma, and his refreshing confidence in slow bowlers.
