South Africa continued their dominance over the West Indies with a dramatic 40-run victory inside three days at Providence Stadium in Guyana, securing their 10th consecutive Test series win against the Caribbean side on Saturday.
Spinner Keshav Maharaj and pacer Kagiso Rabada spearheaded the South African attack, dismantling the West Indies batting line-up and sealing the match, as well as the series, with a decisive performance.
South Africa’s bowlers once again proved to be the difference-makers as the visitors extended their 32-year unbeaten streak against the West Indies, clinching the second Test and the series with a 40-run victory at Providence Stadium. In a thrilling encounter that saw 15 wickets fall in a single day, South Africa bowled out the West Indies for 222, well short of the 262 runs needed to claim their first Test series victory over the Proteas since 1992.
The final blow
Keshav Maharaj, who was named both man-of-the-match and player-of-the-series, delivered the final blow when he had Jaden Seales caught at first slip by David Bedingham for four, sparking celebrations among the South African squad. Maharaj’s 3-37, along with Kagiso Rabada’s 3-50, anchored the South African bowling attack, with support from Wiaan Mulder and Dane Piedt, who each claimed two wickets.
The West Indies were given two and a half days to chase a target of 262 but faltered early. Kagiso Rabada drew first blood when he lured Mikyle Louis into a defensive shot that ricocheted off his bat to third slip, where Mulder took a sharp catch, leaving the hosts at 12-1. Captain Kraigg Brathwaite and Keacy Carty offered brief resistance with a 42-run partnership for the second wicket, but the innings unraveled soon after.
Mulder trapped Brathwaite lbw for 25, reducing the West Indies to 54-2. Carty’s luck ran out after being reprieved by a no-ball; he chopped on to his stumps two overs later off Mulder without adding to his score, leaving the hosts in trouble at 62-3. Kavem Hodge, who looked promising with 29 from 38 balls, played on against Rabada, and the West Indies slid further to 99-4.
Alick Athanaze’s brief stay at the crease ended when he top-edged a sweep shot and was caught at second slip off Piedt for 15. West Indies’ first-innings hero, Jason Holder, failed to make an impact, chipping a delivery from Piedt straight to Mulder at long-on without scoring.
A glimmer of hope
A glimmer of hope emerged through a 77-run partnership between Gudakesh Motie and Joshua Da Silva, but Maharaj returned to remove both set batsmen. Motie fell lbw for 45, and Da Silva departed for 27, effectively ending any chance of a West Indies comeback. Despite a valiant unbeaten 25 from Jomel Warrican, the Windies were bowled out for 222, falling 40 runs short of the target.
Earlier in the day, South Africa resumed their second innings at 223-5 but quickly collapsed to 246 all out, losing their last five wickets for just 23 runs. Jayden Seales was the standout bowler for the West Indies, picking up an impressive 6-61, while Gudakesh Motie and Jomel Warrican each claimed two wickets.
With this victory, South Africa maintained their 32-year dominance over the West Indies, winning their 10th consecutive Test series against the Caribbean side and reaffirming their superiority in the contest.
