Ngidi, Nortje star before Proteas move into lead

Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje shared nine wickets to dismiss the West Indies for a miserable total of just 97 in only 40.5 overs before South Africa finished the first day of the first test at the Darren Sammy Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia, on 128 for four for a lead of 31.

Nortje destroyed the top order with figures of 6-3-8-3 in the morning session in which the hosts limped to 48 for four by lunch.

Ngidi, who was wicketless in the morning session, then claimed an extraordinary 5-9 in the afternoon session to finish with figures of 13.5-7-19-5 as the West Indies recorded their lowest score against South Africa.

“We wanted to be ruthless in terms of our lines and lengths and we managed to do that today,” Ngidi said after the day's play. “It’s been a work in progress and it’s been a while since I’ve been able to produce a performance like this.

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“Everyone knows I bring the ball back into the right-handers but I’ve been working hard on taking it away from them, so to see it come to fruition today is very rewarding,” Ngidi said.

“Day in and day out the guys in the slip cordon work on their catching, for hours after the regular practice is over, so a big thanks to them for hanging onto everything today,” Ngidi said.

“I was very emotional after taking the fifth wicket, to be honest. It’s been a while – my only other five-fer was on debut three years ago. There have been a few four-fers but this is special,” Ngidi said.

Aiden Markram (60) was especially impressive given the solidity of his defence and the implacability of his patience. It bore the early hallmarks of a determined, classic test match innings before he edged Jayden Seales to ‘keeper Joshua da Silva shortly before the close of play.

Debutant Kyle Verreynne (6) offered a brief glimpse back into the game for the West Indies with an airy waft at a short, wide ball from Seales edged into the gloves of ‘keeper da Silva.

BEATEN FOR PACE

Rassie van der Dussen (34 not out) and Quinton de Kock (4 not out) took the tourists to the close of play after the early loss of captain Dean Elgar (0) who edged a fine away-swinger from Kemar Roach to Jermaine Blackwood at slip.

Debutant Keegan Petersen looked assured before edging 19-year-old paceman Seales to Jason Holder at slip to depart for 19 from 29 balls.

The West Indian batting woes started when makeshift opener Shai Hope (15) was beaten for pace and clean bowled by Nortje and was closely followed by captain Kraigg Brathwaite (15) who misjudged the line and played no shot to a ball that hit the top of his off stump.

Nortje’s next delivery crashed into Nkrumah Bonner’s helmet and he was given out, caught at short leg, but reprieved on appeal.

But the damage was done and, clearly rattled, he soon edged Rabada to ‘keeper De Kock for 10 from 32 balls. He was later diagnosed with concussion and ruled out of the test match and replaced by Kieron Powell.

TAME CATCH

Kyle Mayers, too, was unsettled by Nortje and given out lbw without scoring before being reprieved by the third umpire. Moments later he attempted a hopelessly out of position pull shot against Nortje and spliced a tame catch to Van der Dussen at cover.

From 48 for four at lunch, the remaining West Indian batsmen had no answer to the relentless accuracy of Ngidi and all six remaining wickets were caught in the arc between ‘keeper and gully with Markram taking three catches at second slip.

Former captain Jason Holder top-scored with 20 from 41 balls but it was a wretched display from the home side on a pitch with decent pace and bounce but without undue perils.

South Africa handed debuts to batsmen Peterson and Kyle Verreynne and opted for just one spinner in Keshav Maharaj despite selecting four spinners in the enlarged squad of 19 players.

Allrounder Wiaan Mulder was also included in the starting XI giving the tourists a five-man bowling attack.

Vice-captain Temba Bavuma was ruled out of the test with an injury to his left hip but is expected to be fit for the second test starting on 18 June.

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