1st Test
Day-5 Highlights:
Alick Athanaze and rain has helped West Indies to secure a draw in Trinidad Test
South Africa scored 357 (1st Innings) and 173/3 decl. (2nd Innings), where as West Indies scored 233 (1st Innings) & 201/5 (2nd Innings).
Match Drawn.
South Africa displayed intent and belief in their pursuit of an unlikely result in Trinidad, where persistent rain had disrupted play over the five days.
However, West Indies held on, thanks to both the weather and a determined batting display by Alick Athanaze.
Athanaze scored a career-best 92 and forged crucial partnerships with Kavem Hodge and Jason Holder, thwarting South Africa’s efforts on the final day.
South Africa began the day with purpose, as Tony de Zorzi and Aiden Markram came out aggressively, scoring 13 runs off Jayden Seales in the first 10 overs and adding 48 runs in quick time.
Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican struck early, dismissing de Zorzi in his first over, but Tristan Stubbs then took control, hitting six fours and two sixes in a rapid 68 off 50 balls, even as Markram was dismissed soon after.
Temba Bavuma played a supporting role to Stubbs, who reached his maiden Test fifty off just 42 balls.
As a declaration loomed, Stubbs went after Kemar Roach, hitting a six over mid-wicket followed by an audacious lap over the keeper for four.
Roach, however, had the final say, bowling Stubbs and prompting South Africa’s declaration at 178/3, setting West Indies a target of 298.
West Indies faced 20 minutes of play before lunch and had two full sessions to bat out.
South Africa started strongly, with Keshav Maharaj dismissing Kraigg Brathwaite for a third-ball duck and Kagiso Rabada unsettling the batters with aggressive bowling.
Rain provided temporary relief for West Indies, delaying play by an hour before the second session began.
When play resumed, Rabada quickly removed Mikyle Louis with a short ball that was caught by Stubbs at mid-wicket.
Kaecy Carty and Athanaze then provided the first resistance for West Indies, battling through 8.5 overs as South Africa hunted for wickets.
Maharaj, South Africa’s standout bowler, broke the partnership by having Carty caught at cover by Wiaan Mulder.
Athanaze counter-attacked at times, trying to relieve the pressure, while South Africa, who had opted for an extra batter, had to rely on part-time spin from Aiden Markram.
South Africa’s cause wasn’t helped by two dropped catches—Markram missed a return catch off his own bowling, and Bavuma failed to reach a chance at second slip off Maharaj.
After Tea, Maharaj struck again, dismissing Hodge for 29 with a catch behind to Kyle Verreynne.
Athanaze continued to frustrate South Africa’s bowlers and was on course for a century before top-edging an attempted sweep off Maharaj, falling for 92.
His resilient knock took West Indies past 200, and with fading light, Bavuma shook hands with Jason Holder, who was still at the crease, to settle for a draw.
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