After conceding a 149-run lead, West Indies came back strongly in the second innings of the second Test match against South Africa, at St Lucia. However, thanks to a brilliant 75 from Rassie van der Dussen and late-order support from Kagiso Rabada, South Africa are still the dominant side.
Ordinary weather in Gros Islet resulted in the first session being washed out. The teams took early lunch. When the game finally got underway, Kemar Roach got Aiden Markram with the third ball of the first over, followed by Dean Elgar.
Coming on second change, Kyle Mayers continued his good form. He picked up three wickets in quick succession and Jason Holder got Quinton de Kock out for a duck. South Africa were reeling at 73/7 with just a lead of 222.
Kraigg Brathwaite must have hoped to keep the lead to 250 at that stage, but van der Dussen and Rabada showed great application with their 70-run partnership. Roach finally dismissed Rabada and Anrich Nortje to finish with 4-52. South Africa were finally all out for 174.
A target of 324 is still higher than what West Indies batters would have expected. By stumps on Day 3, the hosts were 15 for no loss.
West Indies vs South Africa, day 4: What to expect?
Given that they are yet to reach 250 in this series, the West Indians need to bat out of their skin to make a match of this. The South African pace trio of Rabada, Nortje, and Lungi Ngidi will be relentless, and their pace and hostility will ensure constant pressure on the batters.
Brathwaite, Shai Hope, Roston Chase, Mayers, and Jermaine Blackwood have all, in the past, demonstrated that they can handle pressure. It is time for them to step up again.
The South Africans need to be patient. Elgar is aware of the numerous bowling options at his disposal. The key lies in using them intelligently. There are still two days left, but with the weather concern, South Africa will look to close this match as early as possible.
Key Players
Kyle Mayers (West Indies): Mayers already has 6-52 in the match, but it is now time for him to put up a show with the bat. Earlier this year in Chattogram, he became the first debutant to score a double hundred in the fourth innings. He already has two more fifties and would love to get his second Test century here.
Kagiso Rabada (South Africa): Rabada is clearly the most experienced of the three outrageously good South African fast bowlers. He got a five-wicket haul in the first Test. His second-innings 40 here gave South Africa enough cushion to defend. He will like to get the job done by a key contribution with the ball.
Prediction
South Africa to claim the series 2-0.