Keshav Maharaj hat-trick secures South Africa's 2-0 sweep
Left-arm spinner takes 5 for 36 to dismiss WI for 165 in their chase of 324
Left-arm spinner takes 5 for 36 to dismiss WI for 165 in their chase of 324
Scorer: Venkat Raghav | Commentator: @himanshu_a30
A comfortable win for South Africa, and we come to an end to the Test leg of the tour. It was always going to be challenging for West Indies to hunt down 324, and that famous collapse meant the match was wrapped up in a hurry. But there's a five-match T20I series waiting, and West Indies will hope a new uniform and fresh faces can bring better fortunes for their side. Until then, it's a goodbye from Raghav, Hemant and me, Himanshu. Good night and stay safe.
Srashta : "I look forward to India s tour to SA late in 2021 - Covid willing! India is a much better team on paper and crushed SA at home not long ago. But we know India has never won in SA and they will be hungry - it would be nice if SA have a team who will make it hard for them!"
Aj : "South Africa's lowest score this series was 174, our highest score this series was 165, speechless, it's always one step forward 2 steps back "
And with that, Elgar and his side lift the Sir Vivian Richards Trophy after a 2-0 whitewash of West Indies.
Quinton de Kock is the Player of the Series, and he can hardly think of words to speak: : "The coaches helped and backed us. We used to win a lot, and feels good that we're on that road again. Great to be part of a team like this."
And this is what Elgar has to say after winning his very first series as permanent Test captain: "We haven't won a series on the road for quite some time. Captaincy is a challenge, but I wouldn't have taken it if I couldn't do it. The boys stood up. It was great to see guys like KG rock up and do what he does [best], and great to see Keshav. KG is a world beater and world class, and what we expect from him and he expects of himself. He's a great character to have. I'm glad I don't have to face Ngidi and Nortje; I just have to face them in the nets."
Brathwaite, the West Indies captain, expresses his disappointment: "As a batting unit, we let ourselves down. But I must credit the bowlers - all the guys gave the effort. But as a batting unit, we didn't put partnerships together. We were going good [today], but we didn't carry on. That hurt us, and including myself, we fell short. As batsmen, we know what we did wrong. We have to learn from this as batsmen and come back strongly. South Africa played well. We need to get some rest [ahead of the Pakistan Tests] and work on technical stuff where we could do better. Kemar Roach was remarkable - he never said no - and he's a true warrior. All bowlers led by example."
Rabada is the Player of the Match, for his nine wickets and 40 runs in the second innings: "It's been a while since we've won away from home. We're trying to get back on top of things... and we're going to celebrate. Everyone was determined, and that is one of things Dean drove [into the side]. Whenever we need lower-order runs, I try and put my hand up. Few great names have retired, and now it's for the next generation to come on board. In the first innings, wickets were shared... it's a a determined and young group."
Here's the post-match presentation
Xolamzi: "Rabada is my man of the match"
Mohd Irshad: "There is still one positive for WI - jayden Seals" --- Unfortunately the bowlers never got the support from their batters, and that was it.
Alan Chapman: "I do feel proud to be an SA fan today, with these crushing, clinical wins, it feels just like the old days of PROTEA FIRE:)"
Here's Maharaj, the hat-trick man: "Important for the team to start a new journey with Dean as our new captain. Full credit to the team for this series win. [On the hat-trick] In the hat-trick ball, I had so many things going in my head. Full credit to Wiaan for going down the leg side [for the catch]. Dean has full faith in the spinners, which I am a big fan of."
Trundler: "Really nice to see all the SA bowlers deliver during this series."
2.07pm So South Africa take the series 2-0 with the 158-run win, and take home their first away Test series win since beating New Zealand in 2017. Yet another West Indies collapse, and yet another convincing win for the visitors. The batting never clicked for the hosts throughout the series, with their bowling colleagues lacking the support they needed. There were moments in the game - like when they had reduced South Africa to 37 for 3 in the first innings, and had them 73 for 7 in the second - when it seemed like West Indies were well and truly alive in the game, but they surrendered from advantageous positions to let it all slip.
JNT Seales c Nortje b Maharaj 7 (24m 15b 1x4 0x6) SR: 46.66
Maharaj continues, in search of his fifth
Dipanjan Show: "I feel so good being a South Africa fan now. Been a while since I last felt like it."
Around the wicket
"I am a small guy in stature but a big guy when it comes to standing up and being the representer"
Jason Holder slips from the perch, concedes top spot among allrounders to Ravindra Jadeja
The left-armer hopes that his success can help forge a path for South Africa's spinners of the future
The coach praised the return to form of Quinton de Kock and leadership of Dean Elgar
The home side failed to reach 200 in four innings against South Africa