Published: Aug 12, 2024, 08:09 AM (IST)
Edited: Aug 12, 2024, 09:16 AM (IST)
After rain disrupted Sunday’s first Test at Queen’s Park Oval, Alick Athanaze came dangerously close to scoring his first century in the game but was instrumental in the West Indies’ draw against South Africa.
Just before lunch, the Proteas declared their second innings at 173 for three, and they had set a lofty goal of 298. By the end of the match, Athanaze’s tenacious 92 and a vital partnership of 65 with Jason Holder for the fifth wicket had humiliated the hosts from a precarious 127 for four to 201 for five.
The biggest danger to the West Indies turned out to be Keshav Maharaj, who finished with match statistics of eight for 164 after collecting four for 88.
Soon after noon, Athanaze entered the game at a dangerous eighteen for two, and he showed admirable patience throughout the course of an innings that went over three hours. Nine boundaries were hit by him in 116 balls faced.
But as the play was coming to an end, Athanaze lost focus. Eager to reach his century, the Dominican left-hander, 25, top-edged a sweep off Maharaj to Ryan Rickelton at backward square-leg.
“It was just about dragging the length back and trying to exploit the rough outside his off-stump,” AFP quoted Maharaj. “Full credit must go to him though for the way he played. I just tried to stick to my plans and utilize different angles from the crease.”
Tristan Stubbs spearheaded South Africa’s drive for rapid runs during the morning session, scoring an explosive 68 off 50 balls with six fours and two sixes.
Stubbs’s firstborn Tony de Zorzi and Aiden Markram, the opening pair, contributed to the Test half-century with scores of 45 and 38 respectively, before Temba Bavuma, the captain of South Africa, called time on the innings after Stubbs was dismissed by Kemar Roach.
“We expected the wicket to break up a little more than it did,” Bavuma said.
“In the end we just didn’t have enough time, plus the elements got in the way of what could have been a really good competitive game of cricket.”
After getting bowled out by Maharaj in the opening over of the innings, West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite stated he thought his team might have reached the goal. “We knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but my message to the boys was to back themselves and fully commit to their plans at the crease.”
Rain caused a major disruption to the game, resulting in the loss of over two days of play, which raised questions for the second and final Test. The next game is slated to start on Thursday at the Guyana National Stadium, but there are concerns that the weather may also have an impact.
