Temba Bavuma, South Africa Test captain, said that West Indies made his team work hard for the win in the second Test which helped them secure the Test series 1-0. South Africa defeated West Indies by 40 runs at the Providence Stadium in Georgetown.
This victory extended South Africa's outstanding streak of ten consecutive series victories over the Caribbean side in the longest format of the game. The Proteas' bowling attack was crucial, with Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada taking three wickets each, and Wiaan Mulder and Dane Piedt taking two each.
Their combined efforts led to West Indies being dismissed for 222, falling short of the score of 263 in the second innings.
Keshav Maharaj’s five wickets in this match and 13 overall earned him the Player of the Series award, showcasing his value to the team.
“The emotions were a little bit up and down. Glad the weather held up. Both teams were in the game. We had to keep working hard. The game went our way, fortunately. With a bit of inexperience, you kind of expect that. We leant on to the bowlers to deliver for us. Rabada led the pacers and the spin department was led by Keshav. We just need to keep building. We are an inexperienced team. The more the guys play, the more confident they will become. We can be a formidable side,” Bavuma said after the second Test.
Maharaj lauded his contributions in the match and expressed pride in representing the Proteas in Test cricket.
“Was nice to get a long haul. We did well. We enjoyed it. A lot of positives. But back to the drawing board and on to the next one. I pride myself on Test cricket. Just staying loyal to the game. Bavuma allows me to read the game,” said the left-arm orthodox spinner.
On the other hand, despite the West Indies' recent series loss to South Africa, skipper Kraigg Brathwaite is confident about the future of his young Test bowling attack and batting lineup.
Brathwaite emphasized the good parts of both matches, particularly the performances of youthful fast bowlers Shamar Joseph, 24, and Jayden Seales, 22. He also praised the spinners, Gudakesh Motie and Jomel Warrican.
Joseph's five-wicket haul in the first innings and Seales' career-best numbers of 6-61 in the second innings helped to keep the series entertaining throughout.
“The guys have a lot of potential and talent, and they just come out and do it, they have a lot of skill. It's important to continue to keep learning as batters. We just have to keep thinking about our game and finding ways to improve. It is for us to aim to do it more consistently and I think mentally, find ways to be better,” Brathwaite said.
West Indies will next play Bangladesh in Tests until November.
“I’d say the future is very bright, especially with our fast-bowling unit. But I must say, I'm very excited about the batting unit too. I really think the line-up that we have can do the job. Obviously being mentally tough is most important in playing Test matches. We’ve been asking for more Test matches to play,” he said.
(IANS inputs)
