WI vs SA, Day 1: Here are the key takeaways
South Africa made a comeback after losing early wickets on Day 1 of the second Test against West Indies. The likes of Dean Elgar and Quinton de Kock steadied their ship with respective half-centuries. Earlier, the Caribbean pacers made early inroads in the South African batting line-up, having reduced them to 37/3. Here are the key takeaways from Day 1.
How did the day pan out?
The West Indies bowlers were on the money after skipper Kraigg Brathwaite elected to field. Aiden Markram was dismissed in the second over, while Keegan Petersen and Rassie van der Dussen followed him soon. Kyle Verreynne shared an 87-run stand with skipper Elgar, who departed toward the day's end. Meanwhile, Quinton remained unbeaten on 59. SA finished on 218/5 at stumps.
Day 1: A look at the scorecard
A captain's knock by Elgar
South African captain Elgar led from the front in testing conditions. As the West Indies seamers charged in, he looked resolute. After a proper grind, he raced to his 17th half-century in Test cricket. This was his second Test fifty as the captain of SA. Elgar slammed 77 runs off 237 balls, a knock that was studded with 8 fours.
22nd half-century for Quinton
Elgar was later assisted by Quinton de Kock, who continued his sublime run in Test cricket. He had smashed an unbeaten 141 in the series opener. The stylish left-handed batsman slammed 59* off 103 balls (5 fours) on the first day in the ongoing Test. Quinton is en route to his seventh ton in Test cricket. He added 79 runs along with Elgar.
Shannon Gabriel was the pick of WI bowlers
The West Indian seamers collectively destroyed South Africa's top-order on Day 1. Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel was the pick of Caribbean bowlers, having registered figures of 2/47. The likes of Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, and Kyle Mayers snapped up a wicket each. Notably, skipper Kraigg Brathwaite also chipped in with five overs, having conceded only 14 runs.
