Twitter Reactions: Keshav Maharaj's late strikes give South Africa the edge on Day 3 versus West Indies
The West Indies finished Day 3 at 145/4, trailing South Africa's first innings score by another 212 runs.
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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.
Also Read: ‘Happy with my contribution’ - Tony de Zorzi reflects on valuable knock against West Indies in first Test
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.
Also Read: Cricket South Africa appoints Imraan Khan as new batting lead
Here's how 'X' users reacted to the action on Day 3:
STUMPS ||
— Lawrence Bailey ⚪ 🇿🇦 (@LawrenceBailey0) August 9, 2024
WI end day 3 on 145-4 (67) still trailing by 212 run in their 1st innings.
Hodge 11*
Holder 13*
Maharaj 3-45 (28) #SAvWI #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/dwryrsUxic
Barathwaite back to normal with test cricket :). #SAvWI
— Sourabh Sanyal 🇮🇳 (@sourabhsanyal) August 9, 2024
Test Matches in West Indies in this time of the year are always interrupted by Rain. It's Day 3 and only one innings has completed, Windies have just started theirs.
— Abhijeet ♞ (@TheYorkerBall) August 9, 2024
Just because of this Rain, India slipped from No.1 in 2016 and Pakistan became No.1 for 2 months#WIvSA #SAvWI pic.twitter.com/7wHZDLJoxr
Weat Indies spinners taking 4+ wickets in an innings v SA in tests:
— Eye of Sauron (@cricketsauron) August 9, 2024
Jimmy Adams 4/43, 1992
Ramnarine 5/78, 2001
McGarell 4/72, 2001
Gayle 4/50, 2005
Benn 5/120, 2010
Benn 6/81, 2010
Warrican 4/69, 2024
--x-- #SAvWI #SAvsWI #warrican #Caribbean #testcricket #Olympics
Best bowling average in test cricket by active bowler : (minimum 200 wickets)
— KH Naeem (@Khnaeem962) August 9, 2024
22.06 - Kagiso Rabada
22.53 - Pat Cummins
23.75 - Ravichandran Ashwin#SAvWI #CricketTwitter
Keshav Maharaj was the vital cog to the South Africa attack given the makeup of their team.
— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) August 9, 2024
3/45 off 28 overs is a brilliant return on day 3 which gives his team a chance of forcing a win on the final 2 days. 👏#WIvSA
Keshav Maharaj has bowled 28 overs today and almost certainly be in from the first over tomorrow morning
— Aryan Persaud (@gyav8r) August 9, 2024
Who's this commentator calling Keshav Maharaj "Kesav Maharaz"
— Queen Charlotte (@LadyCharlotte01) August 9, 2024
😫😫😫✋️ #WIvSA pic.twitter.com/LvnzICdjoD
Keshav Maharaj is such a quality spinner 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
— ChallengeCupChamps 🦈 (@The2ndMjanji) August 9, 2024
West Indies did well to restrict South Africa to 357 on this docile pitch, up to their batsmen now to apply themselves & score big. For South Africa to win, Keshav Maharaj will have to play a big part with this 3 & a half man bowling attack. Aiden Markram may need to chip in too.
— Vipul Ghatol 🇮🇳 (@Vipul_Espeaks) August 9, 2024
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