In Bloemfontein, South Africa, rookie fast bowler Shamar Joseph delivered an impressive five-wicket haul for the West Indies ‘A’ cricket team, but their task of saving the final four-day ‘Test’ against South Africa ‘A’ remained daunting.
South Africa ‘A,’ resuming from their overnight score of 104 for three, amassed a substantial total of 272 for five declared. Zubayr Hamza contributed significantly with an unbeaten century, scoring 110 runs, while Ruan de Swardt played aggressively to achieve 86 runs. Joseph managed to capture the only two wickets to fall during this innings, concluding with figures of five for 76 and an eight-wicket haul in the match.
The West Indies ‘A’ team, set an improbable target of 442 runs for victory, faced early challenges as Zachary McCaskie was dismissed for just eight runs. However, left-hander Kirk McKenzie staged a bold counter-attack, remaining unbeaten with 26 runs. By the end of the penultimate day, the West Indies ‘A’ team reached a score of 47 for one. They are now required to chase down an additional 374 runs to secure victory on the final day.
Joseph’s impact was evident early on
Shamar Joseph’s impact was evident early on the second day when he dismissed Khaya Zondo, who could only add two runs to his overnight score of 31, caught behind by the wicketkeeper.
Following this early success, Zubayr Hamza and Ruan de Swardt dominated the West Indies ‘A’ bowling attack, forming a partnership of 159 runs for the fifth wicket. Hamza, who had previously played six Tests, unleashed an innings comprising 12 fours and a six, facing 152 balls during his stay at the crease.
De Swardt, on the other hand, struck nine fours and a six while batting for nearly three hours. Shamar Joseph broke this partnership by dismissing de Swardt leg before wicket, which prompted South Africa ‘A’ to declare their innings.
In their chase of a formidable target, West Indies ‘A’ lost McCaskie early, caught behind the wicket for eight runs, courtesy of a delivery from fast bowler Dane Paterson. McKenzie then provided resilience, striking two fours and two sixes during his unbeaten 26, while Tagenarine Chanderpaul contributed 11 not out, forming a 33-run partnership for the second wicket that secured their team’s position at the close of the day.
