South Africa vs West Indies heading towards draw in first Test

After three days of play, the first Test between South Africa and the West Indies appears to be heading for a draw at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad.

Rain washed out most of the opening day, after which South Africa knuckled in and put 357 runs on the board, batting first.

In response, the West Indies made their way through to 145/4 and now trail by 212 runs with just two days to play.

Cricket bookmakers are offering odds of just -833.33 for the match to end in a draw now.

A South African win, meanwhile, returns +650, while the West Indies are at long odds (+2200) of winning the Test.

Bavuma sets up South Africa with captain’s knock

South African captain Temba Bavuma scored the lion’s share of his side’s runs earlier in the week, making 86 from 182 balls.

He was kept company by opener Tony de Zorzi for the majority of his innings, who picked up 78 from 145.

David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne and Wiaan Mulder also made handy contributions, dragging their side over the 350-mark.

For the home side, Jomel Warrican was the primary wicket-taker, with the 32-year-old claiming four scalps from his 22 overs.

Jayden Seales was also handy with the ball, taking three for 67.

Late collapse hurts West Indies

In response to South Africa’s first innings total, the West Indies looked to be cruising.

Captain Kraigg Brathwaite put on a 53-run partnership with Mikyle Louis to open the innings before combining with Keacy Carty to take the score through to 114/1.

A quick three-wicket slide then came off the back of some nifty fielding by Wiaan Mulder, however, who ran out Brathwaite for 35 from 131.

Keshav Maharaj quickly bagged Carty and Alick Athanaze soon after, reducing the home team to 124/4.

Defensive batting from Kavem Hodge (11 from 52) and Jason Holder (13 from 29) got the West Indies through to stumps with no further damage.

“There is not much off the wicket,” said South Africa’s Maharaj at the close of play on day three.

“I have been trying to use different pace, 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.”

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