Rabada’s six wickets, South Africa beat West Indies in first test

South Africa defeated West Indies by 87 runs on the third day of the first Test here on Thursday, thanks to the brilliant performance of fast bowler Kagiso Rabada (6 wickets for 50 runs). Rabada’s six wickets helped the West Indies to be bundled out for 159 while chasing a target of 247 for victory. Even Jermaine Blackwood’s 79-run innings could not work for him. This gave South Africa a 1–0 lead in the two-match Test series. The pace-friendly Centurion pitch was offering unexpected bounce. 16 wickets fell on the third day and 11 wickets fell in the final session on the second day.

For the West Indies, Alzarri Joseph took five wickets in the first innings and Kemar Roach took five wickets in the second innings, while Anrich Norkia did the same in the first innings and Rabada in the second innings. South Africa made 342 in the first innings and took a 130-run lead by bowling out the West Indies for 212 in the first innings. South Africa’s batsmen struggled in the second innings, having started the day at 49 for four but were bundled out for 116 in just 28 overs. It is also his lowest Test score at Centurion. Roach took five wickets for 47 runs. The visiting team had a chance to win but West Indies lost five wickets for 33 runs in 14.2 overs and the team was reduced to 159 runs.