Spinner Keshav Maharaj delivered a superb bowling performance on the rain-affected Day 3 of the first Test between West Indies and South Africa, helping his team maintain control of the match. Despite the interruptions caused by the weather in Port of Spain, Maharaj’s disciplined spell of 3/45 in 28 overs stifled the West Indian batters.
West Indies struggle against Keshav Maharaj’s spin
At stumps on Day 3, West Indies were 145/4, trailing South Africa’s first innings total of 357 by 212 runs. Maharaj’s three wickets and the run-out of captain Kraigg Brathwaite put the visitors in a strong position. The slow, dry pitch made scoring difficult for the West Indian batters, who found Maharaj’s accuracy and turn challenging to handle.
Openers Mikyle Louis and Brathwaite provided a solid start, putting on 53 runs before Wiaan Mulder ran out Louis. Maharaj first dismissed Brathwaite for 35 and then had Keacy Carty LBW for 42.
Alick Athanaze, who scored just 3 runs, was caught in the first slip by Aiden Markram, further denting West Indies’ hopes.
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South Africa add 13 runs to overnight score
Earlier in the day, South Africa added just 13 runs to their overnight score of 344/8. Kagiso Rabada was dismissed by Jomel Warrican for 21, while Lungi Ngidi was bowled by Jayden Seales for a duck. Warrican finished with figures of 4/69, while Seales took 3/67.
Despite the rain interruptions, South Africa maintained their grip on the match, thanks to Maharaj’s disciplined bowling. With more rain forecast for the coming days, the chances of a result seem slim, but South Africa will be confident of securing a first-innings lead.
As the match progresses, the West Indies will need to find a way to counter Maharaj’s threat and build a substantial first-innings total to stay in the game. The South African bowlers, led by Maharaj, have shown their ability to exploit the conditions and put pressure on the opposition batters.
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