Twitter Reactions: Keshav Maharaj’s late strikes give South Africa the edge on Day 3 versus West Indies

South Africa and West Indies. (Source – Twitter/X)

South Africa would be the happier side at the end of Day 3 of their first Test against the West Indies in Port of Spain, Trinidad after Keshav Maharaj’s excellent spell in the last session.

Day 3 started with South Africa at 344/8, with Wiaan Mulder ad Kagiso Rabada at the crease. The Proteas managed to add just 13 runs to their overnight score before being bowled out for 357 as Mulder remained stranded on 41. Jomel Warrican was the pick of the bowlers as he finished with figures of 4/69 in 22 overs. Jayden Seales also impressed with a three-for, while Kemar Roach bagged a couple of wickets on his return from injury. Also, Jason Holder chipped in with a solitary wicket.

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The hosts got off to a sedate start as Kraigg Brathwaite and Mikyle Louis added 53 runs in 27 overs before the latter was dismissed by Maharaj for a 90-ball 35. Debutant Keacy Carty joined his skipper in the middle and they added 61 runs off 136 balls to take the West Indies to 114/1. However, three wickets fell in quick succession as the Caribbean side slumped to 124/4.

In a spot of bother, the West Indies needed to weather the storm and the duo of Kavem Hodge and the experienced Jason Holder managed to do so. They batted 63 balls in a partnership that yielded 21 runs. The Windies finished the day at 145/4, still trailing South Africa’s first innings total by 212 runs.

Maharaj was the star of the show for South Africa. On a pitch where there wasn’t much turn on offer, the left-arm spinner varied his pace and changed his angles masterfully to challenge the West Indies batters. He dismissed Louis, Carty, and Alick Athanaze. However, the biggest setback for the home side on Day 3 was the run out of their captain, who seemed a bit lazy in sliding his bat in. Brathwaite was well-set at the crease, batting on 35 off 121 balls before his dismissal. The West Indies will want their overnight pair to add as many runs as they can on Day 4 as they have a long tail in this game. South Africa are certainly in the box seat.

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Here’s how ‘X’ users reacted to the action on Day 3: