South Africa’s Test skipper Temba Bavuma was happy with how his team made a comeback in the first Test against West Indies in Trinidad. The first day only saw 15 overs of play as the day was called off due to consistent rain.
The Protean batters then had a move on day two when they scored 344/8 with Temba Bavuma (86) and Tony de Zorzi (78) scoring crucial runs. They finally ended their first innings on 357 with the lower-order cipping in some crucial runs. David Bedingham (29), Ryan Rickleton (19), Kyle Verreynne (39) Wiaan Mulder (41), and Kagiso Rabada (21) came up with important contributions.
Jomel Warrican, the left-arm spinner took four wickets, Jayden Seals took two while Kemar Roach took one. West Indies in their first innings were bowled out for 233. Skipper Kraigg Brathwaite and Mikyle Louis scored 35 each. Keacy Carty scored 42 and all-rounder Jason Holder scored 36.
For South Africa, Keshavv Maharaj took 4/76 and Rabada took 3/56. The Proteas in their second innings were 30 for no loss and leading by 154 runs. Temba Bavuma after the end of play on day four spoke about his team’s comeback into the Test match after losing out on a lot of overs on the opening day of the Test match due to rain.
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Bowlers In Right Frame Of Mind: Temba Bavuma, South Africa Test Captain
“That was a quick transition for us. The weather wasn’t too great. Kudos to the umpires in their urgency to get a game. We had to get into a right frame of mind from a bowling point of view. Lovely stuff from Keshav and good support from the other bowlers. He can attack and take wickets. Other end, it becomes easier to use the pacers,” Temba Bavuma said.
Temba Bavuma further lauded performances from Aiden Markram and Kagiso Rabada the two senior players from the side. By taking his first wicket of the match, Rabada took his tally of wickets to 292 in Test cricket, and it helped him break former all-rounder Jacques Kallis’ record of 291 Test wickets that he picked up in 165 Test matches. Rabada is just playing his 62nd Test match having made his debut in 2015 against India.
“Aiden is more than capable with his spin as well. With Aiden, wanted to see what it was doing. He is one of the tallest spinners. KG was waiting and he did what he does with the new ball. Cracks starting to open up, that’s a good sign for the fourth innings.
“Hopefully we can get a full day, that’ll give us a realistic chance. We have to take care of the first hour and that’ll set it up. Then we can throw caution to the end and see what happens,” Temba Bavuma added further crediting his bowlers to make the match interesting.
The weather in Trinidad unfortunately has a gloomy forecast throughout the week. Heading to the final day of the Test match there are thunderstorms expected. The temperature will be around 31 degrees. There is more than a 55 percent chance of rain likely on the final day of the Test match. Rain is almost certain to play spoilsport on day 5.
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