Kagiso Rabada. (Photo Source: PHILL MAGAKOE/AFP via Getty Images)
West Indies concluded their batting innings with a score of 251 runs on the board before getting dismissed on Day 2 of the ongoing second Test in Johannesburg on Thursday, March 9. Following an impressive Day 1 score of 311/7, it took only 18 deliveries for the Windies to wrap up the South African batting innings for 320.
What followed was an uphill climb for the tourists as the side lost four wickets under 55 runs with Gerald Coetzee adding two wickets to his name. Skipper Kraigg Brathwaite and youngster Tagenarine Chanderpaul were dismissed for scores of 17 and one run respectively in their dismal start.
However, the Windies relished a better session post lunch as Roston Chase and Kyle Mayers put together a 52-run partnership. The two batters found the boundaries and kept the scoreboard ticking in order to help the side get closer to the first innings total set by the Proteas.
Just when the West Indies were starting to get hold of the innings, the Proteas clawed their way back into the contest. Kagiso Rabada and Wiaan Mulder struck the vital blows in quick time to send Chase and Mayers packing. With back-to-back strikes, the visitors were once again kept under check.
Jason Holder’s knock helps WI minimise lead
However, down the middle order came Jason Holder, who took the onus of helping the side recover from an early slump. Holder scored runs swiftly as he got the boundaries at regular intervals. With two maximums and six boundaries, the tall Caribbean lad registered his half-century off 78 balls.
While the Proteas kept striking blows, Holder stood firm and continued to grind hard. On the other hand, Coetzee returned a three-wicket haul, Rabada and Simon Harmer got two each, whereas Mulder and Keshav Maharaj got a wicket each.
Interestingly, Holder (81* off 117 balls) got some help from Gudakesh Motie as the duo stitched a 58-run partnership for the 10th wicket.
The Windies concluded their innings following the dismissal of Motie (17 off 40 balls), with a score of 251 and brought down the deficit to 69 runs. Aiden Markram and Dean Elgar opened for the Proteas in the final session and concluded the day’s play with a lead of 73 runs.