(Source X)
South Africa has secured vital points in their bid to reach the WTC final in 2025 by winning the Test series against the West Indies 1-0, with a 40-run victory in the second Test.
Facing a target of 263 runs in Guyana, the West Indies were dismissed for 222 in their second innings, with Gudakesh Motie top-scoring with 45. The top and middle order failed to provide a solid start, leading to a batting collapse.
Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj each took three wickets in the second innings, dismissing the hosts without significant resistance. Skipper Kraigg Brathwaite contributed 25 as an opener, but Motie’s 45 was the only notable performance, with no other batter scoring over 30. The West Indies’ first-innings effort was subpar, as they were all out for 144.
The match concluded within three days, with South Africa starting the day at 223/5 and eventually being bowled out for 246. Jayden Seals excelled with 6/61 in the second innings, supported by Motie and Jomel Warrican, who each took two wickets.
West Indies, chasing 263 for victory, started cautiously at 54/1 but soon lost their second wicket. This triggered a batting collapse, despite Jayden Seals’ impressive six-wicket haul. Rabada and Maharaj each claimed three wickets, leading to West Indies being bowled out for 222. South Africa won by 40 runs, taking the series 1-0.
With this victory, South Africa extended their unbeaten Test series record against the West Indies, which dates back to the 1998/99 season. The win propelled South Africa to fifth place on the WTC points table, up from seventh, while England, Bangladesh, and the West Indies are ranked seventh, eighth, and ninth, respectively.
West Indies will next face Bangladesh and Pakistan in two-match Test series between November 2024 and January 2025. South Africa will also play two-match Test series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the same period.
There Is That Possibility: Shukri Conrad On South Africa Playing WTC Final
After his team’s victory, South Africa’s head coach Shukri Conrad stated that they are now focused on securing a place in the WTC 2023-25 final.
“We know that if we win every Test match that there is that possibility (of getting to the WTC final). And we’re really thrilled that there might be something for us at the end of this. There’s World Cups in every other format and no reason why Test cricket shouldn’t have something like this” he said.
He also commented on the pitch, which led to the Test finishing in just three days. Both teams batted twice and faced high-quality bowling, but South Africa endured the challenging conditions and emerged victorious.
“It was a really good pitch for Test cricket. You want some challenges against the fast bowlers, especially on day one. That was a major contributing factor to getting a result in the manner we did because the bowlers were always in the game. And when you have two inexperienced batting line-ups, with really good bowlers on each side, you’re able to achieve those results” Conrad concluded.
