Jason Holder revives West Indies hopes in second Test vs South Africa

South Africa were bowled out for 251 before the end of day two of the second and final test at The Wanderers on Thursday. West Indies’ Jason Holder scored an excellent unbeaten 81 and added 58 runs with number 11 Gudakesh Motie to frustrate the visitors.

South Africa batted out the final three overs of the day to reach four without loss in their second innings, giving them a 73-run advantage, which at one point appeared likely to be substantially larger.

On day three, openers Dean Elgar (3 not out) and Aiden Markram (1 not out) will attempt to extend this lead on a wicket that is still favourable for batting.

As their last pair batted, the West Indies were 127 runs behind South Africa’s first innings total of 320. It appeared as though the West Indies would fall behind by a significant margin.

Four sixes and eight fours were smashed by Holder, who led the charge with a brilliant display of counterattacking stroke play.

“It was beneficial to form a partnership. “The momentum was on our side, and I thought (Motie) appeared as at ease as the top order batsmen,” Holder told reporters.

“The most important aspect of the game was to remain in it, and we did so. We require early wickets in the morning of tomorrow. This is a decent pitch for batting.”

Holder, who has scored a test century, believes he has the capacity to bat in the West Indies’ top six.

I have had a mediocre season over the past year, but I would like to bat at number six. I believe I am adequate.

Today exemplifies the fact that I have exerted great effort on a number of projects.

South Africa’s first innings began the day at 311-7, but they added only nine runs before being bowled out in 18 deliveries.

The wickets were shared by seamers Kyle Mayers (3-32) and Alzarri Joseph (3-60) and spinner Motie (3-75) of the West Indies.

The visitors’ reply got off to the worst possible start when opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul is run out for one, and they soon find themselves 28-3 when captain Kraigg Brathwaite is dismissed for 17.

A few batters got off to good starts, but they were rattled at 162-8 and it seemed inevitable that they would capitulate.

This was before Holder and Motie pulled together the innings’s largest partnership, which ended when spinner Simon Harmer had Motie caught at short cover for 17 runs.

Gerald Coetzee, the seamer who tallied 3-41, was the standout of the host team’s attack.