South Africa, reeling at 37/3 at one point, recovered to 218/5 by stumps on Day 1 of the second Test match, at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia. The recovery came from captain Dean Elgar (77) and Kyle Verreynne (27), playing his second Test. The duo added 87 runs for the fourth wicket before Verreynne mistimed a pull off Shannon Gabriel.
Quinton de Kock, hero of the previous Test match, then added 79 with Elgar before Kyle Mayers dismissed the latter. De Kock remained unbeaten on 59 and looked steady, and will hold the key on Day 2.
West Indies vs South Africa: What to expect?
Day 2 will be important for both sides. South Africa’s entire hopes will be pinned on de Kock. A big innings from him will take them to the safety of 300, or even 400, which should be enough for their pace battery. But before that, the fast bowlers will also have to provide support to de Kock with bat.
The West Indians will obviously go flat out in search of de Kock’s wicket. Unless they get him inside the first hour, they may relinquish all hope to make a contest out of this one, given how spectacularly their batting had collapsed in the first Test match.
Key Players
Shannon Gabriel (West Indies): Before the series, the West Indian fast bowlers were expected to compete with their South African counterparts. They missed Gabriel in the first Test. Now back, he picked up two wickets on Day 1. West Indies will expect him to rise to the challenge against the South African lower order.
Quinton de Kock (South Africa): Like the last Test, de Kock looks in ominous mood, on the brink of another match-defining innings. He has looked untroubled for most of his stay, and unless West Indies get him in the first hour, he may take the match away.
Prediction
South Africa will continue to dominate West Indies.