Tea West Indies 143 for 6 (Mayers 29, Chase 28, Coetzee 2-30, Rabada 2-19) track South Africa 320 (Markram 96, Mayers 3-32) with 177 runs
South Africa tightened their hold on the second Test, reducing the West Indies to the last remaining batting pair in a field that continues to offer something for everyone. With extra bounce from one end and spin from the other, South Africa’s three-seam, two-spin attack was fairly disciplined and waited for the West Indies batters to make mistakes. And the mistakes came, albeit a little less than in a miserable morning session, where the West Indies faltered at 51 for 4.
They scored 70 runs in the afternoon, losing just two wickets – albeit an important one – and still have a big job to do to keep the game competitive as the weekend approaches.
After stabilizing the innings before lunch, Roston Chase and Kyle Mayers batted with a good mix of caution and aggression for most of the first ten overs after lunch. They took advantage of anything that was too high and calmly but wisely reversed the strike to bring about some sort of recovery. Their partnership had grown to 52 runs before Chase tried to tackle Mulder and failed. He advanced with a full pitch and went in on his pads before the ball rolled back onto his stumps. A distraught Chase sank to his knees, perhaps knowing he had opened the door to the lower order, with the West Indies still 217 runs behind.
Jason Holder’s first runs, a beautiful straight drive, saw South Africa battling again, but they will face a significant leave with only the lower order ahead.
The West Indies’ troubles began in the morning when their top four were dismissed within the first 17 overs, thanks to sharp fielding and clever bowling from South African players. After scoring just one run in their first 19 balls, the West Indies were eager to turn the bat, so when Kraigg Braithwaite tagged Mulder into the covers, he caused a single. But he didn’t count on Temba Bavuma’s quick reflexes. The South Africa captain dove in from halfway, one-handed lift and release, hitting the stumps at the tip of the striker to find Tagenarine Chanderpaul short off his ground.
Chase and Raymon Reifer scored 23 runs in 25 balls – thanks in large part to large gaps in the field as Bavuma tried to crowd the batters against the spinners – before Coetzee struck again. Reifer tried to shoot Coetzee past Tony de Zorzi with short legs, but hit his path in and the Zorzi caught well.
Earlier, West Indies sailors made light work of South Africa’s last three wickets after resuming at 311 for 7. They dismissed the remaining batsmen 16 minutes and 18 balls into the morning session, with South Africa adding just nine runs to their score from one day to the next. All told South Africa lost their last eight wickets for 72 runs.
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