1st Test: Bavuma top scores as South Africa reach 344/8

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma fell short of a century once again but was the top scorer as South Africa reached 344-8 at stumps on the second day of the first Test against the West Indies at the Queen’s Park Oval on Thursday. Bavuma contributed 86 runs before being dismissed leg before wicket to a full toss from Jayden Seales that swung away, while opener Tony de Zorzi scored 76.
At the close of play, Wiaan Mulder (37) and Kagiso Rabada (12) were unbeaten and will continue batting on Friday, as the hosts aim to dismiss the remaining batters quickly.
After South Africa resumed on 45-1, with most of the first day’s play lost due to rain, several batsmen made useful contributions. De Zorzi, who was 32 not out overnight, quickly reached his half-century off 78 balls.
However, his partner Tristan Stubbs was the first to be dismissed, caught at first slip off Kemar Roach for 20. De Zorzi followed soon after, gloving a reverse sweep off spinner Jomel Warrican to leg slip. David Bedingham was out for 29, caught at deep forward square leg off Seales.
Bavuma and Ryan Rickleton added 57 runs for the fifth wicket before Rickleton was trapped leg before wicket by Roach for 19, immediately after the new ball was taken.
Bavuma’s dismissal highlighted his ongoing struggle to convert half-centuries into Test hundreds, having only two centuries in 57 matches for South Africa.
In the final 20 minutes of play, Warrican claimed two wickets in consecutive deliveries, both caught and bowled. Kyle Verreynne was out for 39, ending a 57-run partnership with Mulder, and Keshav Maharaj was dismissed for a first-ball duck. Rabada survived the hat-trick ball but nearly edged Warrican’s next delivery to the slips.
The flat track made it a challenging day for the bowlers, with Warrican’s figures of 3-66 being the best among them.