West Indies slump to 97 all out

THE West Indies are on the backfoot after winning the toss and electing to bat on the first day of the Test match against South Africa in St. Lucia.

West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite would have been hoping for a better start to the Test match after winning the toss, but it was not to be as they slumped to 97 all out before Tea, having only negotiated 41 overs.

Brathwaite thought the batsmen played some loose shots and played at some balls they should have left alone, but he said they know what they have to do in the second innings.

From all reports, the St. Lucia pitch was going to offer the fast bowlers some assistance, and the South African pacemen took full advantage of this opportunity with some tight and disciplined lines to the West Indies batsmen.

There was seam movement for the visitors who were led by Lungi Ngidi with 5/19. After his first spell did not yield any wickets for him, his second spell did.

The initial damage to the West Indies batting was done by Anrich Nortje, who did not need any help from his team-mates as he bowled both West Indian openers – Shai Hope and captain Brathwaite – for 15 runs apiece.

The West Indies batting offered little resistance with Jason Holder topscoring with 20 runs,  before he was the last wicket dismissed, and it was by Ngidi.

Nortje finished with 4/35 and the 10th wicket went to Kagiso Rabada to give the fast bowlers all 10 scalps.

There were 14 wickets that fell on the day and all belonged to the fast bowlers.

Kemar Roach started things off for the West Indies, thanks to a diving catch by Jermaine Blackwood at third slip. The prized wicket was the South African captain Dean Elgar who had only faced five balls.

However, the West Indies did not have similar success as South Africa, who looked more comfortable in the middle than the Caribbean batsmen.

Opener Aiden Markram reached 60 runs and shared in a 79-run partnership with Rassie van der Dussen for the third wicket.

Debutante Jayden Seales proved the selectors were right in giving him a chance as he ended the day with three wickets, including that of Markram.

Seales, who received his Test cap from former West Indies fast bowler Sir Curtly Ambrose, said that he had a bit of nerves.

“It was an amazing feeling,”  he said about capturing his first wicket. “From the time he edged I knew he was out because Jason (Holder) is very safe in slips, so I was just celebrating from the time I see the edge.”

Seales said he believes they are still in the game despite not batting as well as they would like, but they were able to pull it back with he ball.

At stumps South Africa were ahead by 31 runs having reached 128/4 off 43 overs.

Play continues today and the West Indies will be hoping to limit the visitors’ first innings.

(CG)