Ashish Ranjan
SA vs WI, 2nd Test: Saturday at The Wanderers, South Africa defeated West Indies by 284 runs to sweep the two-match series. Captain Temba Bavuma scored a career-high 172 runs, while Gerald Coetzee and Simon Harmer each took three wickets.
On day four, South Africa set the tourists an improbable 391 to win, but they were bowled out for 106 in 35.1 overs as spinner Harmer took advantage of the turn on offer to record 3-45 and Coetzee bowled a fiery spell to close with 3-37. Joshua Da Silva scored 34 runs to lead the West Indies in the innings, but as they have throughout the series, they struggled to contain the home attack on wickets with velocity and bounce.
Bavuma stated in the post-match presentation, “I believe from the time we decided on the composition of the team (playing two spinners), we hoped the conditions would play out in this manner, and fortunately, they did.” “The men fulfilled their duties. Simon, Kesh performed admirably. I am extremely gratified and happy to have contributed.”
SA vs WI, 2nd Test Highlights
South Africa’s triumph may have come at a price, as spinner Keshav Maharaj was carried off the field on a stretcher after injuring himself while enthusiastically celebrating a wicket. Bavuma, who had reached three figures for the second time in his 56-match career, was attempting to score his first Test century. South Africa began the fourth day at 287 for seven.
However, he added only one run to his overnight total before being caught by Kemar Roach off the delivery of the outstanding Jason Holder (3-48). West Indies ultimately dismissed the home team for 322 runs, which was one more than South Africa’s first innings total, but never appeared likely to chase down the victory target themselves.
Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada (2-19), who has been afflicted with a poor back in recent days, picked up touring captain Kraigg Brathwaite (18) for the fourth time in as many innings, and the tourists were soon reeling at 34-6. Harmer and Maharaj (2-4) wreaked the most havoc by beguiling the West Indies batsmen with exceptional cunning on a wicket that offered assistance.
