Emotions would’ve been one of complete contrast for South Africa captain Dean Elgar and West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite after Day 1 of the first Test in St Lucia. While Brathwaite’s decision to bat first on a green seaming track backfired hugely, Elgar had a near-perfect outing to start off his tenure.
The Proteas dismissed the Calypso Kings for one of their lowest-ever Test scores – 97 from 40.5 overs – with the pace and hostility of Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje proving a touch too good for the opposition batsmen.
Not for the first time, the current lot of West Indies Test batsmen were found wanting technically and temperamentally against a quality pace attack in challenging conditions.
Only four of their batters reached double digits through the painstaking innings, with former skipper Jason Holder top-scoring via a 20 – an embarrassing performance that reflects deeper issues with Windies batting.
Ngidi (5/19) and Nortje (4/35) enjoyed a field day out there in conditions where they could extract movement in the air and off the deck. Delhi Capitals pacer continued what has been a very impressive start to his Test career, while Chennai Super Kings speedster, who is often held back by injury issues, left a timely reminder of the quality he brings to the table.
The duo was so good that spearhead Kagiso Rabada (1/24) had to settle with just a solitary wicket to his name. Even left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj showed good control when he bowled.
So good was the bowling on display that even in-form West Indies batsmen such as skipper Brathwaite (15), Nkrumah Bonner (10), Kyle Mayers (1) and Jermaine Blackwood (1) couldn’t bail their team out.
After the change of innings, though Proteas lost Elgar (0) and debutant Keegan Petersen (19) early in the innings, they recovered swiftly and surpassed the paltry opposition total via a stand between opener Aiden Markram (60) and Rassie van der Dussen (34*).
Markram got out soon after reaching fifty and was followed quickly by another debutant, Kyle Verreynne (6). But Van der Dussen and Quinton de Kock (4*) safely took their team through the end of play without any further hiccup.
Encouragingly for the West Indies, their debutant pacer Jayden Seales (3/34) picked up three scalps before the close of play, with veteran Kemar Roach (1/27) taking the other of the four South African wickets to fall.
Brief scores:
South Africa 128/4 in 43 overs (Aiden Markram 60, Rassie van der Dussen 34*; Jayden Seales 3/34) lead West Indies 97 all out in 40.5 overs (Jason Holder 20; Lungi Ngidi 5/19, Anrich Nortje 4/35) by 31 runs
