The Proteas hold a 212-run lead at stumps on day three of the first test against the West Indies in Port of Spain. 

On Saturday, the Proteas were bowled out for 357 runs in their first innings with Temba Bavuma top-scoring with 86 runs, while Tony de Zorzi scored 78. At the backend of the innings, the allrounder Wiaan Mulder scored 41, while wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne scored 39.

Not the easiest conditions to bowl

Jomel Warrican was the pick of the Windies bowlers with 4/69 in 22 overs, while Jayden Seales took 3/67 in 24.4 overs. In reply, the Windies were on 145/4 in 67 overs when stumps were called with Keacy Carty scoring 42, and the captain Kraigg Brathwaite and Mikyle Louis each scoring 35 runs.

The spinner, Keshav Maharaj, was the standout bowler for South Africa with 3/45 in his 28 overs. Maharaj conceded that it wasn’t the easiest conditions to bowl, especially as a spinner, but patience was key.

“When the ball goes in the outfield, it becomes a bit soft and doesn’t react much,” said Maharaj.

“We have been trying to keep it as dry as possible. There is not much off the wicket. I have been trying to use different paces, and various trajectories. Only the odd ball is reacting. But when you bowl in the right channel for a long time in Test cricket, it does pay dividends.”

Play at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain will resume at 15:30 on Saturday.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek