Dane Paterson picked up three wickets late in the day to secure South Africa A (SA ‘A’) a 76-run win over West Indies A on the last day of the third four-day match at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein on Friday.

The result sealed the tour 2-1 as the hosts came from behind after losing the opening fixture in Benoni.

Paterson (4/66) - with a combined tally of eight wickets in the match - was ably supported by allrounder Ruan de Swardt (2/45) in pursuit of victory.

The visitors put up a fight on the final day, with Joshua da Silva playing a captain’s knock of 110 off 138 balls (8 fours and 2 sixes). Kirk McKenzie also struck a 94-ball 81.

Having resumed on 47/1 and another 374 runs required, McKenzie and Tagenarine Chanderpaul (31) got stuck into the task at hand with a second-wicket partnership of 112 runs before the pair departed in the space of six balls – Duanne Olivier (1/86) and de Swardt working in tandem to remove the overnight duo.

Four overs later, Hardus Viljoen (1/74) added one to his wickets column with Jordan Johnson (9) caught behind.

That brought Da Silva to the crease, and together with Kavem Hodge (47), the pair put on a significant 84-run stand before de Swardt’s first over after lunch brought the breakthrough. Neil Brand claimed a sharp catch at extra cover to see the back of the latter.

The hosts had to wait until after tea to get their next wicket, as Kevin Sinclair (23) attempted to go after Brand (1/32) but instead heaved the ball straight to Khaya Zondo at mid-wicket.

With the score 291/6 and 130 runs still required, Paterson struck twice in as many overs.

First, he wrapped Akeem Jordan (13) on the pads leg before wicket. Zubayr Hamza then held on at second slip to dismiss Shamar Joseph for nought.

Da Silva and Shermon Lewis (3*) added 47 for the final wicket – da Silva with 44 of those runs - before the former finally fell. The right-hander, who scored his first fifty off 71 balls and his second off 62 balls, faced just five more deliveries after reaching his ton before Paterson got the prized wicket and with it the win.

Report Day 1

Report Day 2

Report Day 3

South Africa A squad

Neil Brand (Momentum Multiply Titans, captain), David Bedingham (Western Province), Ruan de Swardt (North West Dragons), Tony de Zorzi (Western Province), Clyde Fortuin (Gbets Rocks), Zubayr Hamza (DP World Lions), Tshepo Moreki (DP World Lions), Mihlali Mpongwana (Western Province), Duanne Olivier (DP World Lions), Dane Paterson (Western Province), Keegan Petersen (Gbets Rocks), Dane Piedt (ITEC Knights), Raynard van Tonder (North West Dragons), Hardus Viljoen (Gbets Rocks) and Khaya Zondo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins).

TOUR ITINERARY

21 – 24 November at 10:00

South Africa A lost to West Indies A by 1 wicket – Willowmoore Park in Benoni

28 November – 01 December at 10:00

South Africa A best West Indies A by 232 runs – Buffalo Park in East London

05 – 08 December at 10:00

South Africa A beat West Indies A by 76 runs – Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein

Zubayr Hamza hit an unbeaten century on a rain-affected day three of the third four-day game against West Indies A to put South Africa A (SA ‘A’) on top at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein on Thursday.

The 28-year-old struck 110 off 152 balls (12 fours and 1 six) and shared in a partnership of 159 with allrounder Ruan de Swardt, who hit 86.

SA ‘A’ declared on 272 for five to set the visitors a target of 421, after which West Indies A lost opener Zachary McCaskie (8) to Dane Paterson before reaching stumps on 47/1.

HAMZA 💯

A scintillating knock from Zubyar Hamza to reach a ton for the SA 'A' side 🇿🇦👌

Well played Zuby 👏

📺 https://t.co/nCZ8P9AE95#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/uSGZ3ef87y

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) December 7, 2023

Earlier, Shamar Joseph (5/76) claimed the only two wickets to fall to complete his five-wicket haul.

The right-arm quick struck in the second over of the day when he induced an edge from Khaya Zondo (31) to wicketkeeper Joshua da Silva.

That would prove to be the only wicket to fall in the morning as Hamza and De Swardt took the hosts to lunch with the score on 248/4 - the pair at that stage on 101 and 71 respectively.

Twenty minutes into the break heavy rain and hail fell, subsequently washing out the afternoon session.

When play resumed at 16h00 courtesy of the excellent efforts by the ground staff, De Swardt added 15 more runs to his tally before falling.

Joseph claimed the breakthrough by trapping him leg before to leave the score at 272/5. SA ‘A’ skipper Neil Brand then signalled the declaration.

After the dismissal of McCaskie, Tagenarine Chanderpaul (11*) and Kirk McKenzie (26*) saw out the remaining overs of the penultimate day with all to do heading into the final day of the tour.

Report Day 1 

Report Day 2

South Africa A squad

Neil Brand (Momentum Multiply Titans, captain), David Bedingham (Western Province), Ruan de Swardt (North West Dragons), Tony de Zorzi (Western Province), Clyde Fortuin (Gbets Rocks), Zubayr Hamza (DP World Lions), Tshepo Moreki (DP World Lions), Mihlali Mpongwana (Western Province), Duanne Olivier (DP World Lions), Dane Paterson (Western Province), Keegan Petersen (Gbets Rocks), Dane Piedt (ITEC Knights), Raynard van Tonder (North West Dragons), Hardus Viljoen (Gbets Rocks) and Khaya Zondo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins).

TOUR ITINERARY

21 – 24 November at 10:00

South Africa A lost to West Indies A by 1 wicket – Willowmoore Park in Benoni

28 November – 01 December at 10:00

South Africa A best West Indies A by 232 runs – Buffalo Park in East London

05 – 08 December at 10:00

South Africa A v West Indies A – Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein

South Africa A (SA ‘A’) captain Neil Brand led from the front with an innings-defining century on day three of the first four-day match against West Indies A at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Thursday.

The 27-year-old struck 104 off 219 balls (14 fours) to help SA ‘A’ reach 250 and set the visitors a target of 224.

West Indies A then ended the day on 8/0 and with 216 still to chase on the final day.

DAY 3 | UPDATE

🇿🇦 SA 'A' 2️⃣8️⃣7️⃣/9️⃣d & 3️⃣4️⃣/1️⃣
🌴 West Indies 'A' 3️⃣1️⃣9️⃣ /1️⃣

SA 'A' lead by 7 runs

📺 https://t.co/Lnp9FSE8T8#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #SAAvWIA pic.twitter.com/lyMehC45o6

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) November 23, 2023

Having started the day on 3/0, Brand lost his opening partner Tony de Zorzi (0) early on to Jayden Seales (2-48).

Zubayr Hamza was next in and the pair added 61 runs before Hamza (30) was trapped leg before wicket by Kevin Sinclair (2-39).

Wickets continued to tumble with Akeem Jordan (3-58) proving most destructive as the paceman claimed the wickets of Keegan Petersen (9), Clyde Fortuin (20) and Mihlali Mpongwana (8).

David Bedingham managed 23 runs before Shermon Lewis (2-37) wrapped him on the pads to send him back to the changeroom leg before wicket.

Resistance from the tail in Dane Piedt (13) and Duanne Olivier (14*) ensured Brand reached his hundred.

The skipper departed a few overs later after he flicked one up to Sinclair at mid-wicket to gift Lewis his second of the innings.

Tshepho Moreki, who was the last man to fall for 17, began the defence for the home side with Piedt in tandem.

West Indies A openers Tagenarine Chanderpaul (1*) and Zachary McCaskie (5*) remained resolute in the four overs they faced to finish unbeaten on 8/0.

Report Day 1

Report Day 2

SOUTH AFRICA ‘A’: Neil Brand (Momentum Multiply Titans, captain), David Bedingham (Western Province), Ruan de Swardt (North West Dragons), Tony de Zorzi (Western Province), Clyde Fortuin (Gbets Rocks), Zubayr Hamza (DP World Lions), Tshepo Moreki (DP World Lions), Mihlali Mpongwana (Western Province), Duanne Olivier (DP World Lions), Dane Patterson (Western Province), Keegan Petersen (Gbets Rocks), Dane Piedt (ITEC Knights), Raynard van Tonder (North West Dragons), Hardus Viljoen (Gbets Rocks) and Khaya Zondo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins).

Magnificent bowling by paceman Alzarri Joseph, who claimed 5-40, and a thunderous unbeaten 44 in just 22 balls from Rosario Shepherd enabled the West Indies to win the third and decisive KFC T20I against South Africa by seven runs at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

The win clinched a 2-1 series triumph for the West Indies who have yet to be beaten in the format in South Africa and will certainly give Rovman Powell and his team plenty of confidence for the future.

A delighted Powell said afterwards: “After the last game, the guys were disappointed. We took all the positives from that game and tried to implement it today. The way Shepherd and Alzarri batted at the end was brilliant and then for Alzarri to pick up five wickets was really special.”

South Africa’s captain Aiden Markram said: “We let ourselves down with the bat a little. We fell a few runs short at the end of it. I have to give our bowlers credit for the way they responded after Sunday. There was a stage where we would have wanted to wrap it up for 160-170. Barring the last three overs, we were really good. Anything under 200 was the goal. 220 was perhaps par. To lose is not great but we are on the right path.”

South Africa, having won the toss, opted to bowl first and for much of the West Indies’ innings they looked likely to restrict their opponents to a total under 200, particularly when they had the visitors 167 for eight in the 16th over.

But Shepherd’s innings proved one of the main differences between the teams as his ninth-wicket partnership of 59 in 26 balls with Joseph – including 26 off Kagiso Rabada’s final over and 43 off the last two overs – proved key for the tourists as they finished on 220 for eight.

Joseph’s valuable unbeaten 14 in nine balls in that partnership was then trumped by his superb bowling in South Africa’s innings when the home team were looking to score 221 for victory.

Thanks largely to an elegant 83 in 44 balls by Reeza Hendricks, as well as a destructive cameo of 42 in 21 balls by Rilee Rossouw, South Africa reached 149 for two in the 15th over with Hendricks and David Miller seemingly poised to strike for victory.

But it was then that the West Indies bowlers in general, and player of the match Joseph in particular, showed their mettle, slowing South Africa’s momentum and picking up key wickets.

SHEPHERD SHOWS THE WAY

It was Joseph who claimed the vital wickets of Hendricks and Miller, both caught on the long-on boundaries, before adding the cheap scalps of Heinrich Klaasen and Wayne Parnell to virtually clinch victory.

He also claimed the wicket of the dangerous Quinton de Kock up front, caught on the point boundary.

In the end, South Africa were left to score 26 off the last over delivered by Raymon Reifer but despite Markram hitting 18 off it, the home team’s fate was decided.

?????????????? ????????-?????????????? #?????????? ???????????????? ??

The West Indies clinch the T20I series 2-1 at the Wanderers following a 7-run win.

?? West Indies: 220-8
???? South Africa: 213-6

Alzarri Joseph finishes with 5-40.

Match scorecard ??

— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) March 28, 2023

Earlier, the West Indies began well, with Kyle Mayers and Brandon King adding 39 for the first wicket in just 3.2 overs, including 22 off Lungi Ngidi’s first over, before Rabada in his first over bowled Mayers and then had the centurion in the last match, Johnson Charles, playing on first ball.

Nicholas Pooran and King then got stuck into Bjorn Fortuin as they enjoyed a 50 partnership before they suddenly lost five wickets for 55, attempting too much against some more fierce pace from Anrich Nortje, in particular, who bowled in the upper 140s, taking 2-36 in his four overs.

When Ngidi made a good recovery to get rid of Pooran (41 in 19 balls) and Roston Chase it seemed that the visitors had tried almost too hard to fight fire with fire on a good pitch that offered the pace bowlers a little more bounce and movement than was the case at SuperSport Park.

But Shepherd showed them the way at the death – and in Rabada’s closing over in particular – cracking two fours and three sixes in his 22-ball innings.

Johnson Charles was named player of the series. Shaun George, who announced his retirement as an umpire, appeared in his 50th T20I.

#MaroonFans Does the Oxford dictionary really have the words & adjectives to describe how good Alzarri was with the ball today?! ?? ??#bigfastbowler #MaroonMagic #SAvWI pic.twitter.com/eYw44GG8wl

— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) March 28, 2023

SOUTH AFRICA: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Rilee Rossouw, Aiden Markram (c), David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Wayne Parnell, Bjorn Fortuin, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi.

WEST INDIES: Kyle Mayers, Brandon King, Johnson Charles, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Rovman Powell (c), Raymon Reifer, Romario Shepherd, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Alzarri Joseph, Jason Holder.

It was a day of records at SuperSport Park, Centurion, as the Proteas chased the biggest target in T20 international cricket. Set a huge 259 runs to win, they got home by six wickets, reaching 259/4 with seven balls to spare to square the three-match series at 1-1 heading into the deciding clash on Tuesday at the Wanderers.

Needing to score at 12.90 to the over to overhaul the record 258/5 set by the West Indies, Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks set the afternoon on fire as they posted an astounding 152 for the first wicket in a mere 10.2 overs. They took 13 off the opening over and reached 50 in 2.4 overs. The hundred came in 5.3 overs and the powerplay produced a staggering 102/0, the highest score in a T20 powerplay by a test playing nation.

De Kock was brutal and magnificent. He reached 50 in 15 balls and his maiden T20 international century in 43 balls (9x4, 8x6), departing soon after reaching the milestone, caught by keeper Nicholas Pooran after top-edging a delivery from Raymon Reifer.

THE GREATEST RUN CHASE IN T20 HISTORY BELONGS TO THE PROTEAS ?????? pic.twitter.com/iHJGhWzB0H

— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) March 26, 2023

Hendricks was equally as sublime, getting to his 50 from 22 balls and going on to 68 from 28 balls (11x4, 2x6). Rilee Rossouw marched to the wicket and proceeded to hit his first three balls for four, six, six and then slapping the fourth to Brandon King at mid-off for a quickfire 16.

David Miller (10) holed out in the deep and it was left to skipper Aiden Markram with an undefeated 38 from 21 balls (4x4, 1x6) and Heinrich Klaasen (16*) from seven balls, to create history.

Seven bowlers were used by the West Indies, Jason Holder (1/48), Odean Smith (1/36), Reifer (1/42) and captain Rovman Powell (1/27) having success in an afternoon of carnage.

Earlier, the West Indies, having been asked to bat, recovered from the early loss of King (1) to post their highest ever T20 international total, thanks to a superb 118 from 46 balls by Johnson Charles (10x4, 11x6) who shared a second wicket partnership of 135 with Kyle Mayers who smashed 51 from 27 balls (5x4, 4x6). Powell contributed 28 from 19 balls and at the end of the innings, Romario Shepherd carved an undefeated 41 from 18 balls.

Marco Jansen was the best of the six bowlers used with 3/52 in four overs and Wayne Parnell claimed 2/43 in his four overs.

It was a day for the batsmen with a total of 517 runs scored in the two innings. The West Indies innings produced 22 sixes and 17 fours while the Proteas cleared the boundary 13 times and added 29 fours.

Powell was disappointed in failing to defend a more than useful total. “That’s the nature of the game and it wasn’t our day besides the efforts of our batsmen, especially Johnson Charles. There’s all to play for in the deciding game but I am proud of the team and for what they achieved,” he said.

Markram was happy to have levelled the series but appreciated his team needed to do it all again. “Quinny’s knock was unbelievable and Reeza showed his class. It was an incredible game of cricket but there is still a game to play where we will have to go back to start and produce the good to win the series,” he said.

SOUTH AFRICA: Quinton De Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Rilee Rossouw, Aiden Markram (capt.), David Miller, Heinrich Klaassen, Marco Jansen, Wayne Parnell, Sisanda Magala, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi.

WEST INDIES: Kyle Mayers, Brandon King, Johnson Charles, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Rovman Powell (capt.), Raymon Reifer, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Jason Holder, Sheldon Cottrell, Akeal Hosein.

New West Indies skipper Rovman Powell struck a brilliant unbeaten 43 in 18 balls to take his team to victory by three wickets over South Africa with three balls to spare in the first KFC T20I at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Saturday.

In a match reduced to 11 overs a side because of rain, the West Indies won the toss and put South Africa in to bat. Facing a target of 132 for victory, the tourists were always ahead of the run-rate but Sisanda Magala and Anrich Nortje bowled superb overs to make it a tense finish.

Powell smoked the eighth over, delivered by Bjorn Fortuin, for 25 runs, including four sixes and a four, to make the West Indies favourites, but then Magala grabbed two wickets in two balls in the 10th over to restore some of the balance. He nearly became the second South African bowler after Kagiso Rabada to take a T20I hat-trick, but a negative review of a possible catch off Roston Chase denied him that prize.

West Indies seal a tense win in Centurion after skipper Rovman Powell's stunning knock! ??#SAvWI | https://t.co/ciAHyQmqi9 pic.twitter.com/bMxgMf7OEq

— ICC (@ICC) March 25, 2023

Needing eight to win off Wayne Parnell’s final over, Powell hooked the third ball for six and then took a comfortable single to clinch the game. In all the player of the match struck five sixes and a four in his innings.

The West Indies were given a lightning start by Johnson Charles (28 off 14 and Brandon King (23 off eight) as the 50 came up at the start of the fourth over. But Charles was superbly caught by Nortje on the long-off boundary, knocking the ball he had caught into the field of play to complete the catch.

For South Africa, Magala completed a fine all-round performance by taking 3/21 off two overs while Nortje was outstanding, taking 1/17 in three overs of high pace.

Earlier, David Miller slammed 48 off 22 balls and added 47 in just 13 balls with Magala for the seventh wicket, to take South Africa to a respectable 131 for eight in their innings.

South Africa’s innings got off to the worst possible start with Quinton de Kock holing out to left-arm spinner Akeal Hosain’s first ball.

Reeza Hendricks, Rilee Rossouw and Aiden Markram all got starts but it was the partnership between Miller and Magala that gave the Proteas a late turbo boost after they had fallen to 79 for six wickets in the ninth over.

With most batsmen opting for agricultural strokes, given the shortness of the innings, it was Miller who played a series of “proper” cricket shots, driving off the front and back foot as well as hooking, pulling and clipping off his legs as he struck four fours and three sixes. Magala, using his immense power, smashed two sixes and a four in his five-ball innings that realised 18 runs.

For the West Indies, Sheldon Cottrell (2/31 off three overs) and Odean Smith (2/27 off two overs) grabbed a brace of wickets apiece.

The remaining two matches in the series take place in Centurion tomorrow and at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

SOUTH AFRICA: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Rilee Rossouw, Aiden Markram (capt), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Sisanda Magala, Bjorn Fortuin, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi

WEST INDIES: Kyle Mayers, Brandon King, Johnson Charles, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Rovman Powell (capt), Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Sheldon Cottrell, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph

A brilliant counter-attacking century from the bat of Heinrich Klaasen powered the Proteas to a superb four-wicket win over the West Indies in the third and final ODI at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on Tuesday afternoon.

Chasing 261 to win, Klaasen crashed his way to an amazing unbeaten 119 off just 61 deliveries, smashing 14 fours and five sixes, with him rescuing the Proteas from a perilous 87/4 and leading them to a fantastic come-from-behind win with a massive 123 balls to spare.

It wasn’t all Klaasen, however, as he shared in a vital 103-run sixth-wicket partnership with Marco Jansen, 43 off 33 balls (5x4; 2x6), that took them from a dangerous 142/5 to 245/6 with the game effectively over by then.

Klaasen ended the match in style, smashing a six and two fours off the first three balls of Yannic Cariah’s 30th over as they cruised over the line.

Look at what it meant to Heinrich Klaasen, his teammates, and the crowd ??#SAvWI pic.twitter.com/CGoDcbK4kR

— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) March 21, 2023

The result levelled the three match series after the opening match at Buffalo Park in East London was washed out, while the second game at the same ground saw the visitors clinch a 48-run win.

The Proteas' chase got off to a poor start as Ryan Rickelton (3) fended a brilliant short ball from Alzarri Joseph straight to Kyle Mayers at first slip with them on 15/1.

Rassie van der Dussen (14) looked in the mood to attack as he cracked three boundaries in his eight-ball stay, only to go at one ball too many and lobbed an easy catch behind to Mayers off Joseph with them in early strife on 36/2.

Tony de Zorzi (21) and Aiden Markram (25) needed to rebuild the innings, but having shared a stand of 37 for the third wicket, both batters fell soon after each other with De Zorzi out LBW to Akeal Hosein and Markram edging Mayers to keeper Shai Hope.

That brought David Miller (17) in to join Klaasen and they fought back with a 55-run fifth=wicket stand, only for Miller to pop an easy return catch to Hossein as the Proteas slipped to 142/5 in the 19th over.

Jansen then proved to be the perfect partner for Klaasen as he rotated the strike with his senior partner well while also smashing any bad balls he received as they took them to the brink of victory, with Klaasen bringing up a 54-ball century along the way, the third fastest in ODIs for the Proteas.

“We know the quality of player Heinrich is. There were pretty simple guidelines coming into this game.”

Aiden Markram reflects on Klaasen’s whirlwind innings, the approach, and what the gameplan was ??

— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) March 21, 2023

DISASTROUS RUN-OUT

In the first innings a run-a-ball half century from Windies opening batter Brandon King helped his side post an under par but defendable 260 all.

Having won the toss and chosen to field, the Proteas produced a decent all-round bowling performance, but King’s 72 off 72 balls (11x4; 1x6) was backed up by 30s from Nicholas Pooran and Jason Holder to make sure that they gave themselves a shot of clinching a series win.

The Windies' innings got off to a strong start as King and Mayers (14) cracked 38 off the first five overs before Mayers pulled a short ball from Jansen over mid-on, only for Lungi Ngidi to run back and take a superb diving catch to reduce the Windies to 39/1 after seven overs.

This brought Brooks (18) in and along with King they set about a positive 71-run second-wicket stand, largely dominated by the in-form opener.

King brought up his half century with a four in the 17th over, followed by the Windies bringing up their hundred in the 19th over.

Disaster struck a few balls later as Brooks set off for a quick single, with King sending him back, as the batter slipped trying to turn and was eventually run out by a mile.

King followed soon after in the 22nd over as he looked unsure how to play at a short ball from Ngidi, hanging his bat out with an inside edge sending the ball onto his stumps, with the score 120/3.

Windies captain Hope (16) and Pooran (39) had to try and rebuild the innings, but guiding them past past the 150 mark, Hope popped an easy catch to a leaping Miller at short mid-wicket off the bowling of Bjorn Fortuin.

Fired up having picked up his first wicket of the day, Fortuin then got one to spin past new man Rovman Powell (2) coming down the wicket at him in his next over, to be easily stumped by keeper Rickelton, leaving the Windies in a bit of trouble on 160/5.

Holder (36) and Pooran tried to get their side to a decent total but having combined for a 27-run sixth-wicket stand, Pooran, who had already cracked three sixes in his innings, threw it away by pulling a short ball from Jansen straight down Ngidi’s throat at deep fine leg.

Cariah (6) then gloved a ball from Gerald Coetzee down the leg side to Rickelton, while the keeper stayed firmly in the game, stumping Holder off the bowling of Markram as the Windies slipped to 221/8.

Lower-order striking from Hosein (14) and Odean Smith (17) helped the Windies get to their final total.

SOUTH AFRICA: Aiden Markram (capt), Ryan Rickelton, Tony De Zorzi, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Marco Jansen, Wayne Parnell, Bjorn Fortuin, Gerald Coetzee, Lungi Ngidi

WEST INDIES: Kyle Mayers, Brandon King, Shamarh Brooks, Shai Hope (capt, wk), Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Odean Smith, Yannick Cariah, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph

Proteas captain Temba Bavuma’s magnificent 144 from 118 balls (11x4, 7x6), his fourth ODI century, wasn’t enough as South Africa finished on 281/7 from 41.4 overs, failing by 48 runs to chase the 335 target set by the West Indies at Buffalo Park in East London, in the second Betway ODI.

Bavuma’s innings, the second highest in an ODI at Buffalo Park behind West Indian Shivnaraine Chanderpaul’s 150 in 1998/99, gave the Proteas hope after they had slumped from 200/4 to 238/8 as the middle- and lower-order batsmen threw wickets away with some poor shot selection.

Bavuma and Quinton de Kock got the innings off to a quick-fire start reaching fifty in 36 balls,

De Kock was in fine form as he raced to 48 from 26 balls (5x4, 3x6), but he perished just before the first powerplay ended.

The first-wicket partnership raised 76 runs, the powerplay 78, and the Proteas were well ahead of the required run rate.

Ryan Rickleton, making his debut, contributed 14 but shared a second-wicket stand of 47 with Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi, another debutant, looked good for his 27, adding 61 for the third wicket.

But once South Africa reached 200, the innings stuttered and never recovered.

Rassie van der Dussen (8), Tristan Stubbs (6), Marco Jansen (17), Bjorn Fortuin (1) and Gerald Coetzee (1) started a procession back to the dressing room and at 238/8, it looked as though the West Indies would finish matters quickly.

However, a ninth-wicket partnership of 49 between Lungi Ngidi (12*) and Bavuma, the best ninth-wicket partnership at East London in an ODI, kept the flame of hope burning.

Alzarri Joseph delivered the killer blow when he induced Bavuma to glove a rising ball on the leg side to keeper Shai Hope with the score on 287.

This was the ninth wicket to fall and last man in Tabraiz Shamsi lasted only two balls as the innings was wrapped up.

?? RESULT | WEST INDIES WIN BY 48 RUNS

Despite a brilliant 144 off 118 balls by captain Temba Bavuma, wickets at regular intervals stifled the chase as the West Indies take a 1-0 lead in the Betway ODI series #SAvWI #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/SKVoEXiWW7

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) March 18, 2023

During the course of his innings, Bavuma passed 1 000 ODI runs when he reached 90. His century came from 92 balls and he was given a life when dropped by Rovman Powell offspinner Akeal Hosein on the deep mid-wicket fence when on 108.

???????? ???? ?? ?????? ??????!

Only Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen have reached the 1000 ODI runs milestone quicker than Temba Bavuma for the Proteas ?

Bat on ‘Temba lamarhumsha’ ?? pic.twitter.com/QFj6jqKxJd

— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) March 18, 2023

Joseph (3-53) in 8.4 overs and Hosein (3-59) in 10, were the best of the West Indian bowlers. Kyle Mayers, Yannic Cariah and Odean Smith took a wicket apiece.

WINDIES RELY ON HOPE

Earlier, the West Indies, who opted to bat after calling correctly, posted a strong 335/8, thanks to a superb, undefeated 128 from 115 balls (5x4, 7x6) from captain Shai Hope.

?? 1st ODI Century as captain
?? 14th ODI Century
?? 1st Century vs ???? @ProteasMenCSA @shaidhope ?? #MenInMaroon #SAvWI pic.twitter.com/9WjNUfOxPp

— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) March 18, 2023

There were solid contributions from Brandon King (30), Mayers (36), Nicholas Pooran (39) and Rovman Powell (46) as the Protea bowlers struggled with inconsistent line and length early on.

Speedster Gerald Coetzee, one of four Protea debutants, took 3-57 in his 10 overs, while spinners Shamzi (2-62) and Fortuin (2-57) were next best in their 10 overs.

It was hard work for the Protea bowlers, Lungi Ngidi going wicketless in his 10 overs in giving away 76 runs and Marco Jansen claimed a single victim in his full spell for 774 runs.

This was only the sixth time in ODI history that the captains of each side had scored a century in the same match.

2?? captains
2?? centurions
2??7??2?? runs#SAvWI #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/Vr6Z9o1LzH

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) March 18, 2023

Hope, who was Man of the Match, was pleased with his team’s effort. “This was a good performance with bat and ball and a move forward. We have to forget what has happened in the past as each match is a new beginning. There is still a match to go in the series and we are not home yet,” he said.

Bavuma always believed he could produce some magic, even while batting with the tailenders but looked forward to beefing up his team for Tuesday’s third and final ODI in Potchefstroom.

“It was a young team but I always believed we could get close if we had a couple of strong overs. Unfortunately I got out but we look forward to welcoming back Aidan Markram, David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen for the next match,” he said.

SOUTH AFRICA: Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (capt), Ryan Rickelton, Tony De Zorzi, Rassie van der Dussen, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Bjorn Fortuin, Gerald Coetzee, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi

WEST INDIES: Kyle Mayers, Brandon King, Shamarh Brooks, Shai Hope (capt, wk), Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Odean Smith, Yannick Cariah, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph

The first Betway ODI between South Africa and the West Indies has been abandoned without a toss due to persistent rain at Buffalo Park in East London on Thursday.

The second match in the three-match series will take place at the same venue on Saturday (1pm).

#?????????? ????????????: The first ODI has been abandoned due to the persistent rain in East London. pic.twitter.com/f2pvPjs4ir

— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) March 16, 2023

The first #SAvWI ODI has been called off without a ball being bowled due to persistent rain ??

??: @ProteasMenCSA pic.twitter.com/ps86rxRk0A

— ICC (@ICC) March 16, 2023

When Rob Walter said it was a “dream come true” to be appointed South Africa’s white ball coach it sounded like a predictable, well-rehearsed line. In Walter’s case, it was more the fulfilment of a lifelong ambition than a dream.

Committed, passionate and successful enough in his first career as a fitness and conditioning coach to be appointed to the Proteas squad in 2009, it was while working with Gary Kirsten that Walter realised he was under-selling his ability.

Walter’s knowledge of the game was embraced by Kirsten and soon enough he was throwing balls in the nets, running fielding drills and, more importantly, working with players on the personal, mental side of the game. In every respect he was an intrinsic part of the team.

Walter knew that he wanted to be a head coach – and that he was good enough.

We’re days away from the Rob Walter era for the Proteas ?

Here’s what he had to say to Pommie Mbangwa and Shaun Pollock about his journey to coaching the Proteas ?? pic.twitter.com/E9WOxrw7Kj

— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) March 13, 2023

Jacques Faul, as chief executive of the Titans, also saw the potential and appointed him as head coach of the country’s most successful franchise team in 2013. It was an eyebrow-raising decision given an application list which featured half a dozen coaches with international experience. Walter won four domestic trophies in his time at Centurion.

But his ambition remained at international level and, unable to see a way to the job in the country of his birth, he moved to New Zealand to take charge of the Otago Volts. Dunedin was a shock to the system, at least physically. The winters were freezing and the team, short of confidence, was losing more than winning. But there was an upside:

"Winning and losing is important, but it’s also about making a difference to people. I learned how to understand different cultures and the privileges that come with being a visitor in a different country,” Walter said last week.

“There's a lesson in SA where you have to invest in each other's cultures, understanding them more deeply and understanding each other.

"That's a learning I’ll take with me into this job, and I'll spend a bit more time investing in people and understanding what the culture means and how it impacts us as people."

Walter’s understanding and appreciation of different cultures was further enhanced by two spells in the IPL with the Delhi Daredevils and Pune Warriors and he dipped his toes further into international coaching when he led the New Zealand ‘A’ team on a tour of India a year ago.

A glimpse of what’s to come? ??

Here’s Proteas limited overs coach Rob Walter giving Pommie Mbangwa and Shaun Pollock insight into his approach, the captaincy and the selection of players??#SAvWI pic.twitter.com/eOw6qiJrku

— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) March 14, 2023

“He is a smart man, an intellectual in the way he goes about his work,” Faul said last week. “I don’t know if he can turn the Proteas’ fortunes around but I know that he will not let anybody down.”

Walter has been smart in his early comments about his preferred style of play, true to his character. “Each coach has a way in which they want to play the game, but you also need to look at what your stable has. That can change quickly when you have a couple of injuries. You could have a fast-bowling policy, but then you incur injuries, and your attack changes.

“For the most part, the philosophy will be about playing an expansive and expressive game of cricket because I really want the guys to have a love and enjoyment for the game where they can express themselves. It's going to be about self-expression while taking the smart and aggressive approach when the chance comes,” Walter said.

So is this appointment the realisation of his dream, albeit via a route he never imagined? “When you start out on a coaching journey, the aspiration is to coach a national team or coach at international level. To then be able to do it for South Africa, having been deeply involved in the system for a long time, is a dream come true.”

The West Indies may have more to gain from their upcoming three-match ODI Series against South Africa then their hosts if, as expected, they are required to pre-qualify for the World Cup in India in October and November.

The men from the Caribbean are desperately clinging to eighth place in the World Cup Super League – the final automatic qualifying spot – but they will be overtaken by the Proteas if they win their two remaining ODIs of the summer against the Netherlands on 31 March and2 April.

The series against South Africa is not part of the WC Super League but, with a tough trip to Zimbabwe likely in June along with nine other teams including Sri Lanka, hosts Zimbabwe, Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands, forming a winning habit on African soil might be crucial to their chances.

Every team, of course, is building towards the World Cup in seven months' time but Temba Bavuma’s Proteas still have to clear the Netherlands hurdle before they can truly focus on India.

So they, too, need to win convincingly to be confident they won’t stumble against the men in orange as they did at the T20 World Cup in Australia last year.

It is a measure of either the vast array of talent at South Africa’s disposal or the extent of their uncertainty about their best players that the squad for the first two games in East London contains 15 players and that it swells to no less than 19 for the third and final game to be played in Potchefstroom on Tuesday.

New white-ball coach, Rob Walter, will at least get to spend over a week with the players who gathered together on Monday.

SEARCHING FOR WINNING FORMULA

Playing strategy and philosophy will no doubt be as important, if not more so than net sessions as Bavuma and his players begin to understand Walter’s vision.

But just as important for the national administrators will be the chance to take international cricket back to Buffalo Park which has been starved of the game at the highest level for too long, starting with the Covid pandemic.

Bavuma’s own playing philosophy was clear for all to see during the ODI series against England in January during which he made a stunning century – 109 from just 102 deliveries – to help win the second game chasing 342.

The victory clinched the series which the hosts needed to do in order to keep their automatic qualifying hopes alive.

Kagiso Rabada and David Miller are rested for the trip to East London along with Heinrich Klaasen and Marco Jansen but all return for the final game as Walter juggles his pack in search of a winning formula.

As always, the hunt is headlined by the need for allrounders to balance a team which has contained too many ‘specialists’ in recent years.

Wayne Parnell is once again given the chance to establish himself in the 50-over team having done so in the T20 line-up.

The West Indies will have even more changes to their squad with new ODI captain, Shai Hope, set to lead a team including exciting batters Rovman Powell, Nicholas Pooran and Shamarh Brooks alongside white-ball specialist bowlers Odean Smith, Romario Shepherd and left arm-spinner Akeal Hosein.

East London, you're up ??

Secure your spot today to watch the #Proteas take on the West Indies ??

Tickets ???https://t.co/fR4pwv6pJ1#SAvWI #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/5dpRvlD1Ue

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) March 14, 2023

Temba Bavuma (captain)
Quinton de Kock
Rassie van der Dussen
Reeza Hendricks
Tone de Zorzi
Ryan Rickelton
Tristan Stubbs
Wayne Parnell
Andile Phehlukwayo
Gerald Coetzee
Bjorn Fortuin
Sisanda Magala
Lungi Ngidi
Lizaad Williams
Tabraiz Shamsi

Proteas squad for 3rd ODI

Temba Bavuma (captain)
Quinton de Kock
Rassie van der Dussen
Reeza Hendricks
Aiden Markram
David Miller
Ryan Rickelton
Heinrich Klaasen
Tristan Stubbs
Tony de Zorzi
Marco Jansen
Wayne Parnell
Andile Phehlukwayo
Bjorn Fortuin
Sisanda Magala
Gerald Coetzee
Lizaad Williams
Lungi Ngidi
Tabraiz Shamsi

West Indies squad:

Rovman Powell
Shamarh Brooks
Brandon King
Keacy Carty
Kyle Mayers
Nicholas Pooran
Yannic Cariah
Roston Chase
Jason Holder
Shai Hope (captain)
Akeal Hosein
Alzarri Joseph
Romario Shepherd
Shannon Gabriel
Odean Smith

South Africa have a new coach and the West Indies a new captain as they start a three-match one-day international series at Buffalo Park in East London on Thursday.

Proteas coach Rob Walter and West Indian captain Shai Hope will both be seeking a winning formula at the beginning of a crucial period for both teams in the lead-up to the Cricket World Cup in India in October and November.

Neither South Africa nor West Indies are guaranteed a place in cricket's showpiece event as they languish in eighth and nine places on the International Cricket Council's World Cup Super League.

The top eight teams qualify automatically for the World Cup – the rest will have to survive a qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe in June and July.

South Africa can overtake the West Indies – and both could be trumped by Sri Lanka – as the Super League comes to an end early next month.

The series starting on Thursday will not count towards qualification as it falls outside the Super League programme.

Both teams will be much-changed from the sides that played in a test series won 2-0 by South Africa.

Only four of the South Africans played in the tests, including captain Temba Bavuma.

The other three, fast bowler Gerald Coetzee and batsman Tony de Zorzi, who both made their test debuts in the recent series, and Ryan Rickelton, have yet to play in a one-day international.

Injuries kept out allrounder Wiaan Mulder and left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, who were originally selected.

Walter will take charge for the first time since being appointed last month. He has worked with the South African team as a strength and conditioning coach but has spent the past seven years coaching in New Zealand.

He has made changes in the support staff, including the appointment of former national players JP Duminy and Rory Kleinveldt as batting and bowling coaches.

Hope, 29, was appointed West Indies skipper after Nicholas Pooran resigned from the white-ball leadership after the T20 World Cup last year. Pooran is still part of the squad.

Hope has an impressive one-day record, with an average of 48.95 from 104 one-day internationals. He captained Barbados in the regional 50-overs competition last year.

Roston Chase, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Alazarri Joseph and Kyle Mayers played in the tests.

The first two matches will be played at Buffalo Park, which has not hosted a one-day international since Bangladesh played there in October 2017. Since then there have been two T20 internationals, the most recent against England in February 2020.

Squads:

Fixtures:

16 March, East London (day-night)

DP World Lions and Proteas allrounder Wiaan Mulder has been ruled out of the three-match Betway one-day international (ODI) series against West Indies due to a left side strain.

The 25-year-old experienced discomfort during the second Betway test at DP World Wanderers Stadium and subsequent scans revealed a grade one side strain. Allrounder Wayne Parnell has been named as Mulder’s replacement.

Tabraiz Shamsi has also been added to the squad for the injured Keshav Maharaj.

The squad for the first and second ODIs will assemble in East London on Monday.

PROTEAS 1ST AND 2ND ODIS SQUAD AGAINST WEST INDIES

Temba Bavuma (captain, DP World Lions), Gerald Coetzee (ITEC Knights), Quinton de Kock (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tony de Zorzi (Six Gun Grill Western Province), Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), Reeza Hendricks (DP World Lions), Sisanda Magala (DP World Lions), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Ryan Rickelton (DP World Lions), Wayne Parnell (Six Gun Grill Western Province), Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins),Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tristan Stubbs (Dafabet Warriors), Lizaad Williams (Momentum Multiply Titans), Rassie van der Dussen (DP World Lions).

PROTEAS 3RD ODI SQUAD AGAINST WEST INDIES

Temba Bavuma (captain, DP World Lions), Gerald Coetzee (ITEC Knights), Quinton de Kock (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tony de Zorzi (Six Gun Grill Western Province), Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), Reeza Hendricks (DP World Lions), Marco Jansen (Dafabet Warriors), Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Sisanda Magala (DP World Lions), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Ryan Rickelton (DP World Lions), Wayne Parnell (Six Gun Grill Western Province), Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tristan Stubbs (Dafabet Warriors), Lizaad Williams (Momentum Multiply Titans), Rassie van der Dussen (DP World Lions).

SOUTH AFRICA BETWAY ONE-DAY INTERNATIONAL SERIES AGAINST WEST INDIES

Thursday, 16 March at 13:00

South Africa v West Indies - Buffalo Park, East London

Saturday, 18 March at 13:00

South Africa v West Indies – Buffalo Park, East London

Tuesday, 21 March at 10:00

South African left-arm spin bowler Keshav Maharaj faces a lengthy period out after suffering a freak injury during South Africa's 284-run win over the West Indies in the second test in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Cricket South Africa announced that Maharaj "has a complete rupture of his left Achilles tendon" and will see a surgeon on Monday.

Maharaj, 33, went down in obvious pain after he jumped to celebrate the wicket of Kyle Mayers shortly before lunch on the fourth day. He had to be taken off the field on a stretcher.

Keshav Maharaj managed to injure himself while celebrating South Africa's sixth wicket ??#SAvWI pic.twitter.com/OmQllaHmXj

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) March 11, 2023

Maharaj has been South Africa's leading test spin bowler since making his debut in 2016 but has more recently become a regular in the one-day international team.

South Africa have no test matches scheduled until December but his injury will mean that he misses the one-day series against the West Indies which starts in East London on Thursday – and could put him in doubt for the World Cup in India in October.

Maharaj bowled only 2.5 overs before his injury but took two wickets for four runs to hasten a West Indian collapse to 106 all out.

West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite bemoaned his side’s lack of runs in their 2-0 series loss in South Africa and says they will continue to struggle in test cricket unless the batters can guts it out and find a way to build big totals.

West Indies slumped to a 284-run loss in the second and final test at The Wanderers on Saturday after being bowled out in their second innings for a paltry 106 in 35.1 overs, chasing 391 for victory.

"Away from home we haven't scored enough runs. It was the same in Australia," Brathwaite said. "I still think we are making some good steps, but looking at the first test (in Pretoria), we were in some good positions (with the bat) but we crumbled.

"We need to improve. Technically, yes we need to work on our flaws, but the mind also needs to be in the right place. It's all about the grind. We didn't score enough runs, it’s as simple as that.

"When we are on the pitch, we need to do it. We have done it before, against England at home and away. We've got to show that we are top batsmen and we haven't done that."

Brathwaite admitted to his own struggles in a series in which he scored 46 runs in four innings and lost his wicket to South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada on each occasion.

"I’m extremely disappointed, especially today," he said. "I was feeling quite good but was dismissed early (again). As a leader, I like to lead from the front, and it didn't happen this series. Next series, I've got to be better."

That next test series will be at home against India in July, but West Indies now take on South Africa in three one-day international matches, starting in East London on Thursday, followed by a further three Twenty20 International fixtures.

Led by a player of the match performance by their skipper, Temba Bavuma, South Africa crushed the West Indies by 284 runs on the fourth day of the 2nd Betway test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Saturday afternoon, clinching the series 2-0 after victory by 87 runs in Centurion.

Bavuma struck a magnificent 172 – his second test ton – in South Africa’s second innings of 321, with the West Indies being set an intimidating 391 for victory an hour into the day’s play in which the Proteas added a further 34 runs to their overnight score of 287 for seven.

The visitors’ hopes of putting up stern resistance in the five and a half sessions remaining were dashed almost immediately as Kagiso Rabada grabbed two scalps while the spinners, Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj, shared the other four as the tourists crumbled to 34 for six at lunch. Rabada’s job was done at that stage and he finished with 2/19 off seven overs, including the wicket (leg before) of Kraigg Brathwaite, for the seventh time in his last eight innings against the Proteas.

The game was effectively over, but Joshua da Silva and Jason Holder showed some character to add a run-a-ball 48 for the seventh wicket before Gerald Coetzee, steaming in with good pace and aggression, accounted for both of them. Holder played on for 19 while Da Silva (34 off 52 balls) was beaten for pace by one that also kept a little low, knocking back his off-stump. Coetzee finished with 3/37 in his eight overs.

Rabada dismissed Brathwaite for the seventh time in successive innings when he trapped the West Indian captain leg before wicket for 18 with a ball which kept low.

West Indies all out for 106! ?

South Africa win by 284 runs and take the Test series 2-0 ??#SAvWI pic.twitter.com/d13a4C7o91

— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) March 11, 2023

Harmer, who bowled throughout the innings, then had Azarri Joseph stumped to finish with 3/45 in 17.1 overs. The blond offspinner gained prodigious turn and significant bounce on the fourth day and fully justified his selection.

Maharaj also impressed with figures of 2/4 in 2.5 overs, bowling Roston Chase with a beauty, but he was struck down with a bizarre injury while celebrating his second wicket, that of Kyle Mayers, just before lunch. As he began to celebrate, he fell to the ground in agony, clutching his left leg. He was unable to get to his feet and was carried off on a stretcher.

Another injury worry for South Africa was that of Wiaan Mulder who hurt a finger on Friday and was unable to bowl on Saturday. As it turned out, the two fit pacemen – Rabada’s back strain on Thursday was resolved – and the two spinners were able to get the job done.

A comprehensive victory for South Africa as they complete a 2-0 series whitewash ??#WTC23 | #SAvWI | Scorecard: https://t.co/holkApIRGI pic.twitter.com/wHeqaJ6tnl

— ICC (@ICC) March 11, 2023

Aiden Markram, the top run-scorer in the series with 276, including a century in Centurion and 96 in Johannesburg, was named player of the series. Rabada and Joseph were the top wicket-takers with 12 apiece.

Bavuma was fulsome in his praise for his team and declared himself satisfied with their progress. “It was great to see the crowd come out today. I’m satisfied for the team and happy with my performance. Hopefully this (hundred) will be the first of many from now on.” He was concerned, however, that the national team’s next test outing would only take place in December (against India). “We are building a team, and we need to play more test cricket.”

West Indies’ captain Brathwaite gave a simple explanation for his team’s problems: “We didn’t score enough runs. It’s as simple as that. We have some technical issues, perhaps, that we’ll work on, but the real problem is a mental one.” He was also disappointed with his personal contribution with the bat. “I like to lead from the front. On this tour it didn’t happen."

Report Day 1
Report Day 2
Report Day 3

South Africa: Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (capt), Ryan Rickelton, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada.

West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite (capt), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Raymon Reifer, Jermaine Blackwood, Roston Chase, Kyle Myers, Joshua da Silva (wk), Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Kemar Roach

South Africa’s new test captain, Temba Bavuma, broke a seven-year century drought when he struck his second ton on the third day of the second Betway test against the West Indies at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Friday.

Bavuma, who was dismissed for a pair in his debut test as captain at Centurion last week, almost literally went from zero to hero as he struck an undefeated 171 in 275 balls (20x4s) to help South Africa reach an imposing 287 for seven in their second innings, an overall lead of 356 which puts his team in a powerful position to push for victory on the final two days.

He will, however, be conscious of the fact that the Wanderers’ pitch has held together remarkably well and is still an excellent batting surface.

Temba Bavuma's 171* has given South Africa a big lead ??#WTC23 | #SAvWI | Scorecard: https://t.co/holkApIRGI pic.twitter.com/11q560uyLW

— ICC (@ICC) March 10, 2023

Bavuma’s only century before today was his unbeaten 102 in the New Year’s test in 2016 against England at Newlands in Cape Town.

He has gone close since then, and has struck 20 fifties in his 56 test matches, but three figures finally beckoned again for the diminutive 32-year-old batter from Langa outside Cape Town to the delight of the crowd at the Wanderers, and on social media throughout the country.

Speaking afterwards, Bavuma said: “It’s been no secret that this (second hundred) has been a long time coming. I froze a bit just before I got to my ton but when it came I really wanted to let my emotions out. I’m quite satisfied. Today I just wanted to stay within my game plan. As a captain I know I need to lead from the front and I hope things get stronger and stronger from now on.”

Temba Bavuma reacts to his brilliant 171* ????? pic.twitter.com/NkoH21cpnv

— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) March 10, 2023

The diminutive right-hander came to the crease in the eighth over of the day after South Africa had fallen to eight for two wickets in their second innings, trying to build on a first-innings advantage of 69.

Things got worse before they got better with the third wicket falling at 32 and the fourth on 69 just before lunch.

Heinrich Klaasen fell for 14 with the total on 103 but that was the high water mark for the visitors as Bavuma teamed up with Wiaan Mulder (42 off 71 balls) to add 103 in 160 balls for the sixth wicket either side of tea, perhaps the key period in the match.

The pair absorbed big pressure to begin with, but then they imposed themselves on the bowlers with the pacemen bowled into the ground and spinners Gudakesh Motie and Roston Chase unable to maintain the pressure.

Bavuma’s hundred finally arrived half-an-hour after tea when he faced the bowling of Joseph on 99.

MARKRAM FALLS TO A BEAUTY

Although there was a tense moment when he swung and missed at a wide one, the whole ground – including his proud father – celebrated when Bavuma smacked an exuberant drive on the up through the covers for four to reach his landmark.

Temba Bavuma gets his 2nd Test 100 ??????

What it means to him, his dad and his teammates ??

?? The isiXhosa commentary team said it best ?? pic.twitter.com/sc7TuajY3c

— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) March 10, 2023

When Mulder fell, caught hooking at Alzarri Joseph on the square leg boundary, the force was fully with the Proteas and Simon Harmer and Bavuma took full advantage on a pitch playing easily as they added a further 71 in 124 balls before Jason Holder finally got some reward for his labour when he trapped the spinner leg before.

The quality, as well as the value of Bavuma’s innings, can be gauged by the fact that they were in deep trouble when he came to the crease.

Dean Elgar, Tony de Zorzi and Ryan Rickelton all played poor shots to gift their wickets. Only Aiden Markram, who received a superb delivery from Kemar Roach, was truly got out.

Elgar was out in the first over. He guided a Mayers delivery backward of point for four and then tried to repeat the stroke, top-edging to Chase at gully who caught the ball at the second attempt.

De Zorzi played an indeterminate shot to a ball from Mayers that he should have left, his angled bat deflecting the ball onto his stumps.

The real prize, though, was the wicket of Markram. Kemar Roach did the trick with a beauty, the ball angling in and straightening, kissing the edge of Markram’s defensive bat.

Bavuma was joined by Ryan Rickelton and the two added 37 before Rickelton, who had fenced outside his off-stump on more than one occasion, finally got an edge to an innocuous Raymon Reifer delivery that he should have left well alone.

But all that was forgotten at the end of a day that ended in a personal triumph for the South African captain and a position of strength for his team.

From 8/2 to 287/7 ??

A day that belongs to Temba Bavuma with the crowd on their feet to applaud ©?

The Proteas lead by 356 at the end of day three. pic.twitter.com/xlr3LDyVg4

— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) March 10, 2023

Report Day 1
Report Day 2

South Africa: Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (capt), Ryan Rickelton, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada.

West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite (capt), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Raymon Reifer, Jermaine Blackwood, Roston Chase, Kyle Myers, Joshua da Silva (wk), Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Kemar Roach

Jason Holder struck an undefeated 81, his 12th test 50 and his highest score against South Africa, as the West Indies battled to 251 all out – a deficit of 69 – on the second day of the second Betway test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Thursday.

After looking down and dejected when their eighth wicket fell on 162, 158 runs behind, the West Indies received a welcome late boost from Holder who collaborated with Kemar Roach and Gudakesh Motie to add a further 89 runs to frustrate the South Africans.

His 10th wicket partnership of 58 in 83 balls with Motie, in fact, was the highest of the innings with the left-handed Motie looking very comfortable until he played an ambitious pull off Simon Harmer to top-edge a catch to Temba Bavuma at cover.

South Africa’s openers, Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram, were faced with an awkward three overs against Kemar Roach and Alzarri Joseph before the close which they negotiated safely on four without loss, with the home team taking an overall lead of 73 into the third day with all their second-innings wickets intact.

?? The Proteas lead by 73 runs at stumps on Day 2 after dismissing the West Indies for 251 ??#SAvWI pic.twitter.com/md8zaunU3i

— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) March 9, 2023

Batting at No 8, a position that some may think is too low for a batter of his calibre, Holder struck eight fours and four sixes in his 117-ball innings that began cautiously but grew increasingly aggressive as the wickets fell.

Holder was particularly hard on the South African spinners, Keshav Maharaj and Harmer, who went for a combined 140 runs on an excellent pitch for batting – easily the best of the series – that has yet to produce much turn, although there is bounce.

The ease with which Holder and Motie batted was a poor reflection on the West Indies’ top-order batters after their bowlers had done well at the start of the day to finish off the final three South African first-innings wickets for nine runs in just three overs.

Looking for a rare solid start, the West Indies shot themselves in the foot almost immediately when Tagenarine Chanderpaul was run out when skipper Kraigg Brathwaite called for a quick single.

The left-hander was slow to respond and Temba Bavuma dashed in from cover and brilliantly threw down the wicket.

Brathwaite was then undone by extra bounce from his nemesis, Kagiso Rabada, who has now dismissed him six times in tests, edging a low catch to Dean Elgar at first slip.

BALL OF THE DAY

Then it was the turn of Gerald Coetzee. First he had Raymon Reifer caught bat-pad at short-leg by Tony de Zorzi – another sharp effort from him – before finding the edge of Jermaine Blackwood’s bat shortly afterwards.

A fighting tenth-wicket stand comes to an end as South Africa gain crucial lead ??#WTC23 | #SAvWI | Scorecard: https://t.co/Hw0zhC2vyo pic.twitter.com/riYiRTHeaX

— ICC (@ICC) March 9, 2023

That made it 73 for four at lunch, but thereafter the West Indies stiffened their sinews and began to fight back. The afternoon session didn’t produce many runs but only two further wickets fell – Roston Chase and Kyle Mayers.

The pair had taken their fifth-wicket partnership to 52 in 94 balls – only the visitors’ third 50 partnership in the series – before Chase (28 in 53 balls) was unfortunate to play on to Wiaan Mulder.

He drove at a full delivery, edged it onto a pad and the ball rolled back, agonisingly slowly, to bump into the off-stump and dislodge a bail. The batter knelt on the turf and raised his head in anguish.

The dismissal of Mayers (29 in 83 balls) was not down to bad luck but a poor choice of shot against Kagiso Rabada who cunningly bowled a rearing delivery outside his off-stump, tempting Mayers to play his favourite cut stroke.

The bounce defeated him, however, and all he could do was edge the ball to Elgar at first slip. Mayers, a naturally aggressive batter, was tied down by South Africa’s tight bowling and eventually his patience evaporated.

Joshua da Silva batted with some grit after tea which the West Indies had taken at 143 for six before Harmer produced the ball of the day, beating the wicketkeeper in flight before turning the ball through the gate to clip the off-stump – a classic offspinner’s dismissal.

The pitch appeared to be getting flatter by the minute in the evening sunshine and Holder and Roach and then Motie were able to bat with a sense of calmness and assurance.

Roach was eventually undone after slashing at Coetzee, giving Elgar his third catch in the slips, before Motie – who has a first-class century to his name – gave Harmer his second wicket.

Coetzee was the Proteas’ most successful bowler with 3-41 but once again it was Rabada who was the class act with 2-19 in 12 overs.

There were concerns when the champion fast bowler left the field after tea with what appeared to be a niggle, but he returned to field soon afterwards.

Report Day 1

South Africa: Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (capt), Ryan Rickelton, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada.

West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite (capt), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Raymon Reifer, Jermaine Blackwood, Roston Chase, Kyle Myers, Joshua da Silva (wk), Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Kemar Roach

Aiden Markram and Tony de Zorzi struck big half-centuries for South Africa but the West Indies roared back into the game after tea to grab five wickets as the home team were pegged back to 311 for seven on the first day of the second Betway test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

Markram, currently in sublime form, played superbly for his 96 while the more gritty De Zorzi (85) struck his maiden test half-century as he underlined his spot as South Africa’s new No 3. For their part, the West Indies repeated their performance on the first day of the opening test at Centurion when they bowled poorly for two sessions before recovering their discipline.

At Centurion, South Africa were pegged back from 221 for one to 314 for eight at stumps. At the Wanderers, the Proteas were flying along at 192 for one with Markram just four runs off his century, before the West Indies bowlers recovered their poise to take five wickets for 64 runs in 27.2 overs after tea.

Jason Holder was the flagbearer for his team, bowling consistently well throughout the day to claim 1-39 in 16 overs. Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie was a little expensive, with his three wickets costing 75 runs while Kyle Myers struck two late blows for the visitors, bowling Wiaan Mulder with a brilliant inswinger and then having Simon Harmer caught behind with the final ball of the day.

The Proteas top-order batsmen star on day one ??

Gudakesh Motie is the pick of the bowers ?? pic.twitter.com/YTKSWQxoJI

— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) March 8, 2023

If South Africa felt some frustration that they couldn’t build on the foundations that Markram and De Zorzi set, they still have a solid total with Heinrich Klaasen still at the crease. The frustration for the tourists’ bowlers must be that they failed to learn their lesson from Centurion, waiting until the final session and a bit before clicking into gear.

South Africa began the day well with Temba Bavuma winning the toss on a dry, easy-paced pitch that promised much for the batsmen with the suggestion that spin would take hold later in the game with Keshav Maharaj and Harmer picked to exploit that eventuality.

Once again openers Markram and Dean Elgar profited from an undisciplined bowling effort by the West Indies as they were able to profit from the plentiful bad balls that were too short, too full or too wide.

Markram looked in excellent form after his morale-boosting hundred in Centurion, while Elgar put away his ill-chosen ramp shots and pulled the short balls square or even forward of square. The pair added 76 before Elgar, sweeping at Motie in the 18th over, got a leading edge to offer a low catch to Roston Chase at backward square leg. The former South African captain had struck seven fours in his brisker-than-usual 42 in 54 balls.

De Zorzi joined Markram and the pair took South Africa to 133 at lunch with Markram playing a succession of superb shots through the covers off the front and back feet.

Markram emerged from lunch in an even more positive mood as the pair maintained their rate of more than four runs to the over. He had struck 17 commanding boundaries in his innings and was on the cusp of a century when, out of the blue, he tried an exotic option to reach three figures, paddling a delivery from Motie. But instead of glory, the right-hander only succeeded in toe-ending the ball straight up in the air where Jermaine Blackwood, running from slip to leg slip, juggled but finally clutched onto the simple catch.

South Africa enjoyed a good day with the bat after opting to bat first, but the visitors have made some late inroads ??

More from day 1 of the second #SAvWI Test ??https://t.co/tZcxqMRcG2

— ICC (@ICC) March 8, 2023

Markram, shaking his head in disgust at his error, duly departed the scene. Still, his fine 96 had come in 139 balls and his second-wicket partnership of 116 with De Zorzi seemed to have laid the foundations for a big first-innings total.

De Zorzi, after a disappointing start to his test career at Centurion that included a preventable run-out and a first-ball duck, looked far more comfortable this time around. His cover drives were particularly good but so was his focus as he reached tea on 75 in 124 balls (10x4s).

The West Indies fightback had begun just before tea which South Africa took on 247 for two. Both De Zorzi and Bavuma became increasingly subdued and the first overs after the break continued in the same manner. Something had to give and it was Holder who made the breakthrough angling one back at Bavuma (28) who failed to play a shot and was leg before.

As De Zorzi (85 in 155 balls) neared his hundred he became becalmed and was eventually beaten through the air by a fine flighted delivery from Motie that took out his off-stump. Rickelton had played brightly for his 22 but he was tempted once too often outside the off-stump by Azarri Joseph, edging a catch to wicketkeeper Joshua da Silva.

The recovery of the West Indies was then completed by Mayers who bowled Wiaan Mulder through the gate before finding the edge of Harmer’s bat. Klaasen, unbeaten on 17, will hope for some assistance from the tail on Thursday to push the team’s total towards the 350-mark.

The tourists should be commended for their over rate, bowling 15 overs to the hour, a rare experience for spectators in test matches these days.

South Africa: Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (capt), Ryan Rickelton, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada.

West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite (capt), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Raymon Reifer, Jermaine Blackwood, Roston Chase, Kyle Myers, Joshua da Silva (wk), Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Kemar Roach

Proteas test head coach Shukri Conrad is seeking improvements from his batting unit when they walk out for the second Betway test against West Indies at DP World Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

South Africa won the opening fixture between the teams by 87 runs at Centurion to move into an unassailable 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Barring a century from new T20 International (T20I) captain Aiden Markram and a half-century from former test captain Dean Elgar, though, the batting was again a letdown for the hosts, who have struggled in that department over the last year.

They had to depend on the bowlers to bail them out and coach Conrad knows all too well that there has to be more coming from the batting unit. Addressing the media ahead of the game, the coach said: "This 'brand of cricket' has been branded about quite a bit because there's a lot of talk about how we want to play our game and it will often play itself out in the batting department.

"It's no secret that we weren't particularly good at Centurion, yes we got away with a good result but truth be told, we weren't particularly good. The West Indies were good and the wicket was tough, but it doesn't just mean we should roll over as we did the other day and have done in the past.

"But that brand is on the batting front. The brand on the bowling front I think was great. We played our four quicks and they showed what we are about there. I think there's just a little bit of patience required in terms of the batting."

To try and improve the batting, South Africa have included the in-form Ryan Rickelton in their XI for the game ahead of Keegan Petersen. Conrad explained that various factors contributed to the decision.

"We went with Keegan in the first test simply because he was the incumbent," he said.

"We believe he has a big role to play going forward, but more in the middle order rather than at top. Rickelton we feel deserves his chance, he's been churning out the runs as we all know."

Conrad broke from tradition on Wednesday when he named the starting XI before matchday. Elgar and Markram will open the batting followed by Tony de Zorzi, captain Temba Bavuma, Rickelton, Heinrich Klaasen, Wiaan Mulder, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee and Kagiso Rabada.

The changes mean that everyone in the squad will have had a game during the series. The Proteas do not have too many tests scheduled in 2023, and because of this, Conrad admitted he had to try and find opportunities for everyone in his squad.

"It's a unique set of circumstances because we don't play a lot of test cricket and that's been well documented," he added. "So I've got to find novel ways of finding out about more about these guys and so we're giving everyone a chance. We'll see how they react now and through the year we'll create other opportunities.”

PROTEAS TEST SQUAD AGAINST WEST INDIES

Temba Bavuma (captain, DP World Lions), Gerald Coetzee (ITEC Knights), Tony de Zorzi (Six Gun Grill Western Province), Dean Elgar (Momentum Multiply Titans), Simon Harmer (Momentum Multiply Titans), Marco Jansen (Dafabet Warriors), Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), Wiaan Mulder (DP World Lions), Senuran Muthusamy (North West Dragons), Anrich Nortje (Dafabet Warriors), Keegan Petersen (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kagiso Rabada (DP World Lions), Ryan Rickelton (DP World Lions).