By Neil Manthorp.
A brilliant 68 from just 50 balls from Tristan Stubbs and quick runs from openers Tony de Zorzi and Aiden Markram allowed South Africa to declare their second innings on 173-3 half an hour before lunch, setting the West Indies a fourth-innings target of 298 on the fifth and final day of the first test at the Queens Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad, on Sunday.
The home side had 20 minutes to survive before the break but captain Kraigg Brathwaite perished to the third ball of the innings with a remarkably uncharacteristic shot, charging down the wicket to Keshav Maharaj and slicing a drive high into the covers where Stubbs held the catch.
West Indies were 11-1 at the break requiring a further 287 runs in the final two sessions with Mikyle Louis (8*) and Keacy Carty (3*) set to resume after lunch.
Stubbs was in glorious form, striking six fours and two sixes transferring some of his renown T20 skills into the test format with some booming drives and even a reverse sweep against seamer Kemar Roach for four at the end of his innings which ended when Roach bowled him — prompting the declaration with skipper Temba Bavuma unbeaten on 15.
De Zorzi added 45 from 60 balls (4×4) to his fine 78 in the first innings before a leg glance against spinner Jomel Warrican (2-57) finished in the gloves of ‘keeper Joshua de Silva while Markram’s positive innings of 38 from 48 balls (4×4, 1×6) ended with a lofted drive to long off against Warrican which Jason Holder caught inside the boundary.
It was a remarkable change of tempo in the match which saw the tourists amble to a first-innings total of 357 at three runs per over and the home side crawl to 233 at under 2.5 runs per over.
But the West Indies appear intent on chasing the target and South Africa’s chances of victory will be greatly enhanced if they continue to attack.
Rain has affected play on all five days and may well have the final say with another heavy shower driving the players from the field on the stroke of lunch.
West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Mikyle Louis, Keacy Carty, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Jason Holder, Joshua Da Silva (wkt), Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican
South Africa: Aidan Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne (wkt), Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.