WI vs SA

That brings us to the end of our coverage for the opening Test. Like always it was a pleasure bringing you all the live updates from the game. Moreover it was rain who had most of the day during the game. The second Test gets underway from August 15. The series stands in stalemate with any team having the ability to win it. After a long and intriguing day, it's time for us to bid adieu. This is me (Arya Sekhar Chakraborty) signing off also on behalf of my fellow commentators Pragadeesh and Darpan.

Kraigg Brathwaite (West Indies captain): Well happy as a batting group. The guys were quite positive of what we can do. I mean we believed we could get the runs. The game plan was there and it was great to see Alick bat. Fully commiting to the plans is great. It's the balance. The pitches are different in the Caribbean. You have to lay a foundation for your team. I think it's all about belief and planning and believing in the plans. Alick showed us the way, how he swept the ball and how he went about his planning. It's about believing in yourself. As we go to Guyana we will access. We have a fifteen-man squad and access how the bowlers are.

Temba Bavuma (South Africa captain): We would like to be a bit more ruthless. Once you get to a fifty, you have to make it count. Lot of positives. I felt we tried our best. Keshav, KG supported by the other guys. A bit more time and we could have done it. Aiden was always going to be the supportive spinner who chips in with a wicket every now and then. He did his job well.

Keshav Maharaj (Player of the Match) - Whatever format I play, I pride myself of on Test cricket. The conditions were helpful for me. You try and read conditions and access them early. You try different things and see what works on the wicket. I just try to stick to my guns.

Match Drawn!

Session Summary: Overs 23.2 | 79 runs | 2 Wickets | RPO 3.40

South Africa tried to make a match out of it but in the end it was West Indies who had enough mettle and batting prowess to see the day through and take the series to the decider. Despite the heavy rain during the early part of the day, the Proteas tried to make a match out of it after declaring their innings in a precarious situation. They gave an opportunity for the hosts to chase this down but it was always going to be an uphill task. 

The match was marred by rain from Day 1 with only 15 overs being possible. It was the South African captain Temba Bavuma who won the toss and opted to bat. Tony de Zorzi looked in good touch and took the attack to Gudakesh Motie and smashed a couple of sixes to get things going before Jason Holder castled Aiden Markram which happened to be the final major activity of Day 1.

From there on Tony de Zorzi and Temba Bavuma built a solid partnership to put the Proteas in a commanding position. Bavuma went on to score a stroke-filled 86 to lay the foundation for South Africa. Important contributions from Kyle Verreynne and Wiann Mulder took them to a score of 357. 

It was Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada who instigated West Indies collapse as they were bowled out for 233. The top three contributed some vital runs before a fighting knock from Jomel Warrican saved West Indies from the blushes. With so much rain around, South Africa decided to try and make a match out of it. 

Tony dee Zorzi and Aiden Markram batted with intent but it was the knock of Tristan Stubbs which propelled them to a competitive score in the second innings. He smashed a 50 ball 68 as South Africa declared leaving West Indies to chase a tricky chase. When Alick Athanaze was out in the middle, it looked like West Indies were going after the target but after a few wickets, West Indies were happy with the draw and it was evident on how things went on.

56.2 Keshav Maharaj to Jason Holder, SIX! Holder senses the opportunity and cashes upon. He clears his front leg and whacks this one straight down the ground. 

56.1 Keshav Maharaj to Jason Holder, bowls with an ultra aggressive field: three slips, a bat-pad on the off side, a silly mid-off and a leg slip too. Full and at the off stump. Holder defends. 

Another over ticks by and with the fading light, Bavuma won't be allowed to bowl. The spinners will be in action as the game comes to a close. 

The light is fading here at Trinidad but the South Africans are still trying to make a match out of it. Just 8 more overs left in the game and the Proteas should feel they have those five deliveries in them to stage and epic win. 

54.6 Keshav Maharaj to Jason Holder, two slips and a leg slip along with a bat-pad on the off side. Fuller ball at the off stump. Holder defends.