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August 10, 2024
Maharaj’s three-wicket haul and Brathwaite’s run-out dented West Indies on a slow, dry pitch. West Indies, at 145 for 4 (Carty 42, Louie 35, Brathwaite 35, Maharaj 3-45), trail South Africa’s 357 (Bavuma 86, De Zorzi 78, Warrican 4-69, Seales 3-67) by 212 runs.
Keshav Maharaj bowled 28 consecutive overs from the Media Centre End, despite interruptions due to weather, as South Africa kept West Indies under pressure on the third day of a rain-affected Test. Although the effort yielded only four wickets, with 90 minutes lost to rain and more expected, the likelihood of a decisive result appears slim. However, South Africa will likely have the upper hand.
West Indies trail by 212 runs on a slow, dry pitch where runs remain challenging to accumulate. South Africa added just 13 runs to their overnight score but achieved their highest first-innings total in nine away Tests since Christchurch 2022. However, they needed quick wickets to capitalize on this, which proved challenging against a resilient West Indies lineup. Some fielding lapses on a surface that favored a more relaxed approach could have improved their efforts.
Batting has been a struggle so far, and early signs on the third morning suggested it would only get more challenging. The second ball of the day, delivered by Jayden Seales, stayed low, and Wiaan Mulder was lucky that it didn’t seem back far enough to hit the off stump.
Despite the challenges, South Africa appeared intent on scoring quickly, with Kagiso Rabada leading the charge. He flicked Seales through backward square leg and then edged a drive wide of second slip in a productive over. However, Rabada’s aggression was short-lived. After facing just five more balls, Jomel Warrican found the edge, and Joshua Da Silva completed the catch. Seales wrapped up the innings six balls later by bowling Lungi Ngidi, ending South Africa’s innings just 20 minutes into the session. They managed to add only 13 runs to their overnight score.
West Indies spent 117.4 overs in the field, giving them ample time to realize that batting would be challenging, especially against South Africa’s top bowlers. Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi took the new ball, each posing different but equally challenging questions for the West Indies openers. Rabada focused on total deliveries, while Ngidi targeted a back-of-a-length approach, limiting West Indies to 23 runs in the first ten overs. When Wiaan Mulder, the third seamer, replaced Ngidi, South Africa soon had to turn to spin earlier than expected as Rabada’s initial spell ended.
Maharaj was introduced in the 13th over and nearly made an early breakthrough. He drew Kraigg Brathwaite forward in his second over, inducing an edge that narrowly evaded Aiden Markram at slip. Brathwaite, then on 7 from 43 balls, was fortunate to survive. He later cut Maharaj through point for his first boundary but, like South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma on day two, chose to play a patient innings, allowing runs to accumulate from the other end.
Mikyle Louis was more aggressive, primarily through the covers, scoring four of his five boundaries. He also hit the single that brought up West Indies’ fifty, marking the fourth half-century opening stand between him and Brathwaite in three Tests. This partnership nearly saw West Indies through the session unscathed. However, Louis was bowled by a Maharaj arm ball just before lunch after playing for turn.
Play was delayed by 55 minutes after the scheduled restart for the second session, and a rain shower caused another 20-minute break shortly after. Despite these interruptions, Brathwaite maintained his focus and hit Maharaj for six three overs into the session. However, it was Keacy Carty who took on most of the attack. On debut, Carty impressed with his confidence, playing the shot of the day when he rose on his toes to punch Rabada behind point for four.
With only four frontline bowlers available, South Africa had to keep Maharaj operating from one end, where he effectively contained Brathwaite, who managed just 6 runs off 37 balls against him. The team rotated through the three seamers, but none seemed likely to take a wicket, leading to a slow phase in the game. A chance did arise in the field when Carty, on 28, defended a ball from Mulder to point and attempted a risky single. He had to contend with Ryan Rickelton’s throw, which, if accurate, would have had him short of his ground. However, the throw went wide, allowing Carty to continue batting. Three overs later, on 32, Carty mistimed a shot off Maharaj, sending the ball aerially to cover. Running back to catch it over his shoulder, Tristan Stubbs misjudged and dropped the chance.
When South Africa might have felt disheartened, a cautious Brathwaite, who has also played in the Indian Premier League, attempted a single off Ngidi, hitting the ball to Mulder at mid-on. A direct hit found him short of his ground, and he was dismissed on the stroke of tea. Brathwaite’s 35 runs came off 131 balls, maintaining the lowest strike rate among batters who have scored 5,000 test runs since 2001. The interval was followed by rain, causing a further 35-minute delay before the start of the final session.
Seven balls into the evening session, a delivery from Maharaj ended Carty’s debut innings as it skidded and struck him on the front pad. Aiden Markram, South Africa’s second spinner, nearly had another breakthrough five overs later when Kavem Hodge, on 3, edged a delivery. Still, Kyle Verreynne could not react quickly enough to take the catch. Instead, Markram was the fielder when Maharaj struck again in the next over, dismissing Alick Athanaze, who edged an arm ball to Markram at slip. Markram and Maharaj bowled for most of the remaining session, with a final late burst from Rabada failing to dismiss Hodge or Jason Holder.