South Africa closing in on victory after two days
Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje claimed two wickets apiece in the final session to put South Africa in complete control of the first test against the West Indies at the Darren Sammy Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia as the hosts subsided to 82-4 in their second innings, a deficit of 143 at the end of the second day.
Roston Chase (21*) and Jermain Blackwood (10*) will resume on the third morning.
The West Indies conceded a withering deficit of 225 runs after Quinton de Kock smashed his sixth test century to lead South Africa to a total of 322 in reply to the West Indies miserable effort of 97 all out on the first day.
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De Kock switched through the gears as he feared running out of partners and launched a ferocious assault on the wilting West Indies attack cracking 12 fours and seven sixes in his unbeaten 141 not out during a glorious return to form after 22 months since his last century. He faced just 170 balls, 98 of which were used in compiling his 50 before he threw caution to the wind and took the game by its throat.
De Kock added an improbable but highly entertaining 79 for the ninth wicket with Anrich Nortje who contributed just seven while De Kock slew the bowling with slog-sweeps, cover drives and hooks.
It was certainly one of De Kock's most measured centuries and calculated with calm defence giving way to brutal destruction as he threatened to run out of partners.
“It was about batting time initially and trying to get the team into a strong position, so doing that was obviously very satisfying,” De Kock said.
De Kock interview
Asked whether being ‘freed’ from the ‘burden’ of captaincy had benefitted him, de Kock said: “To be fair, I haven’t changed my mindset at all, I just tried to do my job and the job that needed doing, irrespective of the captaincy. I’ve kept in touch with (test captain) Dean (Elgar) to make sure I’m up with the pace, but it’s about doing your job, captaincy or no captaincy,” de Kock said.
'REALLY STRONG POSITION'
The 22 months between test century No 5 and six were neatly contextualised by the former white-ball captain: “We haven’t played a lot of test cricket in that time, we don’t get as many opportunities as some other teams do. I did get quite a few 50s which I didn’t score hundreds from, which was irritating, but that was two years ago so from there to now is a long time.”
Like all cricketers, De Kock declined to look into the future – but he was also unable to conceal his optimism about the first test.
“We have batted ourselves into a really strong position, obviously, we are doing really well. The bowlers came out aggressively and have put us in a strong position. The wicket is becoming more up-and-down and there seems to be a lot of swing around. So, yeh, I think we’ll be alright.”
The West Indies were soon in trouble again in their second innings when captain Kraigg Brathwaite (7) was trapped lbw by Rabada in the fifth over and fellow opener, concussion replacement Kieron Powell, departed in identical fashion for 14.
Nortje also induced identical dismissals when Shai Hope (12) and Kyle Mayers (12) were both beaten for pace before edging to Wiaan Mulder at third slip.
BRUTAL TREATMENT
Rassie van der Dussen (46) was the only wicket to fall in the morning session after South Africa resumed on 128-4 and added 77 runs in the morning session. Mulder was the first of three wickets to fall in the afternoon session when he edged Jason Holder to ‘keeper Joshua da Silva for 25 (57balls, 4x4) and was quickly followed by Keshav Maharaj (0) who was brilliantly caught off an inside edge by substitute fielder Kieron at short leg off the bowling of offspinner Rahkeem Cornwall.
Rabada (4) was the third wicket to fall in the session when he edged Kemar Roach to Jason Holder at second slip.
Holder was the best of the home side’s bowlers with 4-75 from his 20.5 overs while 19-year-old fast bowler Jayden Seales, having suffered some brutal treatment from De Kock, had figures of 3-75 from 2. Veteran Kemar Roach had 2-64 from 20 overs.
Lungi Ngidi claimed 5-19 on the first day with Anrich Nortje taking 4-35 as the hosts were bowled out for just 97 after choosing to bat first.
WEST INDIES: Kraigg Brathwaite (capt), Shai Hope, Nkrumah Bonner, Kyle Mayers, Jermaine Blackwood, Roston Chase, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Jason Holder, Rahkeem Cornwall, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales
SOUTH AFRICA: Dean Elgar (capt), Aiden Markram, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Quinton de Kock (wk), Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje
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