Lungi Ngidi (5-19) and Anrich Nortje (4-35) shared nine wickets to bowl West Indies out for 97 on an eventful Day 1 of the first Test match at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia. This is their lowest total against South Africa, and lowest against any country since 2004. In reply, South Africa closed on 128/4 at stumps. They lead by 31 runs.
Kraigg Brathwaite’s decision of opting bat first backfired against South Africa, whom West Indies were hosting after 11 years. Ngidi and Nortje put on an exemplary display of seam bowling to reduce West Indies to 56/7. Apart from Jason Holder (20), no West Indies batter scored in excess of 15.
This was Ngidi’s second five-wicket haul in Tests, after his 6-39 on debut, against India. Kagiso Rabada (1-24) claimed the wicket of Nkrumah Bonner (10). Kieran Powell replaced Bonner for the remainder of the contest as a concussion substitution. The decision came after Nortje banged a short-length delivery that hit Bonner’s helmet.
The tourists lost Dean Elgar for nought in the opening over of Kemar Roach (1-27). Debutant Jaydon Seales (3-34) picked up three more wickets to take the tally to 14 wickets in a day. Neither Keegan Petersen (19) nor Kyle Verreynne (6) made their mark on their maiden international call-up.
Aiden Markram (60) shared a 79-run stand for the third wicket with Rassie van der Dussen (34*) to revive South Africa before the former fell to Seales. Van der Dussen is still in middle alongside Quinton de Kock (4*).
Brief scores
West Indies 97 (Jason Holder 20; Lungi Ngidi 5-19) trail South Africa 128/4 (Aiden Markram 60; Jayden Seales 3-34) by 31 runs.