Maharaj spins web around WI to put SA in charge

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj derailed West Indies’ efforts and put South Africa (SA) on the front foot at the end of day three of the opening Test here at the Queen’s Park Oval yesterday.

Maharaj grabbed three wickets after sending down 28 straight overs to trigger a middle-order collapse that saw West Indies lose three wickets for just 10 runs, to leave the home side stuttering on 145-4, still 212 runs behind South Africa’s first innings total of 357.

On another rain-affected day which saw more than 90 minutes being lost, the West Indies made a promising start in their run chase.

Captain Kraigg Brathwaite and Mikyle Louis frustrated the visitors in an opening stand of 53 on a slow, dry pitch.

Louis looked comfortable and dominated the partnership with his much more experienced captain.

But facing the last ball before lunch, the right hander was undone by an arm ball from Maharaj and bowled through the gate for 35.

Debutant Keacy Carty joined Brathwaite at the crease after the break and even though the run rate meandered under three runs an over, they kept South Africa’s bowlers at bay during a 61-run stand.

However, like Louis, Brathwaite lost his wicket to the final delivery before tea to set back the West Indies.

After facing 131 balls for his 35, he drove a no-ball from pacer Lungi Ngidi to the right of Wiaan Mulder stationed at mid-on and took off for a single, only for the fielder to hit the stumps with a direct throw with a review showing Brathwaite’s bat on the line.

His dismissal brought some showers, and a decision was made by the umpires to take tea with the West Indies 114-2.

When play finally resumed, Maharaj struck twice in the space of five runs to turn the match in South Africa’s favour.

Carty, who went to tea on 38, added just four more runs before he was undone by a delivery from Maharaj bowling from around the wicket and was trapped leg before wicket to leave the home side 119-3.

Alick Athanaze endured a torrid time at the wicket, with Maharaj bamboozling the left-hand batsman on several occasions.

It therefore came as no surprise when Athanaze prodded forward uncertainly at a delivery from the spinner, which found the outside edge and gave Aiden Markram an easy catch at slip to be out for just three, as West Indies slipped to 124-4.

Kavem Hodge, who finished the day on 11 not out and Jason Holder (13 not out), navigated a tricky final period for the West Indies to ensure there were no further hiccups.

Maharaj was the pick of the Proteas’ bowlers with 3-45.