2nd Test: Bowlers shine as West Indies and South Africa share honours

NEW DELHI: Shamar Joseph took five wickets in his maiden Test match played at home, but South Africa responded with 17 wickets lost on Thursday’s thrilling first day of the second and final Test at Providence, Guyana.
The Proteas elected to bat first, and fast bowler Joseph’s five for thirty-three spearheaded the destruction of the opposition for 160, as per AFP.
However, the Caribbean side faltered to 97 for seven in reply at the end, and seamer Wiaan Mulder reacted in kind with the superb figures of four for 18.
Joseph, who was left out of the rain-affected, drawn first Test in Trinidad a week earlier, regained his form and intensity from his January debut series in Australia.
On the last day of the second Test in Brisbane, he bowled the West Indies to their first Test victory Down Under in 27 years with an incredible seven-wicket haul.
Following two lackluster Tests in England last month, where he appeared short of work and match fitness, the Guyanese pacer immediately made up for it when he entered the game as the first change bowler on a sweltering morning at the South American site.
With fellow pacer Jayden Seales (3 for 45) providing good support, he removed opener Adrian Markram almost immediately. His constant pace and full length proved to be more than a handful for the South Africans in conditions that were pleasantly favorable to the fast bowlers.
“It’s a great feeling to have done this at home,” said 24-year-old Joseph in reflecting on his third five-wicket Test innings haul.
“I haven’t really played much here at Providence but I always go in with a clear plan to do what the team needed, and I am glad I was able to deliver today.”
To get the visitors over the hundred-run threshold, Dane Piedt (38 not out) and Nandre Burger (23) had to put together a last-wicket partnership of 63.
Strangely enough, bowling was the main reason both players were chosen for this particular match-fast bowler Lungi Ngidi and batter Ryan Rickelton were left out of the first Test squad.
The South African bowlers destroyed the West Indies top-order batting, spurred on by their last-ditch resistance.
The South Africans made a comeback when Mulder replaced the unfortunate Kagiso Rabada, but Burger was the first to strike when he scattered Mikyle Louis’ stumps.
The medium-pacer, following Joseph’s lead earlier in the day, provided the perfect blend of movement through the air and off the seam to have the hosts reeling at 56 for six. This knocked out his previous best of three for one, which he had also achieved against the West Indies in St Lucia three years prior.
“I didn’t bowl at my best but I had a lot going for me today,” Mulder admitted in reflecting on his career-best Test bowling performance.
“I just tried to replicate what Shamar did earlier in the day by bowling a length which made it difficult for the batters to score. He’s obviously quicker than I am but the pitch also helped by style of bowling so I was able to capitalise.”
Gudakesh Motie (33 not out) and Jason Holder (33 not out) prevented a total collapse, but Motie’s dismissal in the final over of the day against Keshav Maharaj puts even more pressure on former captain Holder to do whatever he can with the tail on the second morning to reduce the first innings deficit.