South Africa clinch series win after Windies' dismal day-four collapse

By Sports Desk March 11, 2023

South Africa clinched a 2-0 series victory over West Indies as the tourists collapsed on day four of the second and final Test.

The Proteas prevailed by 87 runs in the first Test and their triumph was much more emphatic in Johannesburg as the Windies wilted miserably in pursuit of a mammoth target of 391.

Having resumed on 287-7, South Africa and second-innings hero Temba Bavuma (172) departed in short order for 321, but as was the case in the first innings, they quickly had the measure of the Windies with ball in hand.

Gerald Coetzee, playing in just his second Test match, led the way with 3-37 as the Windies were bowled out for 106 in a 284-run defeat, the sole concern for South Africa an injury to Keshav Maharaj, who had to be taken off on a stretcher.

Skipper Bavuma was finally dismissed by Jason Holder, who also claimed the final wicket of the innings, Kagiso Rabada caught and bowled after hitting two sixes as part of his quickfire 16 off 10 balls.

Former captain Holder was one of just four Windies batters to reach double figures in a chase that never gained momentum.

After skipper Kraigg Brathwaite went for 18, lbw to Rabada, the Windies offered precious little resistance, going from 21-0 to 34-6. Raymon Reifer went for a duck two balls after Brathwaite, and Roston Chase also failed to trouble the scorers.

Maharaj was injured in the act of celebrating after Kyle Mayers was given out lbw by the DRS, and Holder (19) and Joshua Da Silva (34) did stem the tide somewhat thereafter.

It was only brief respite, however, as the lower order's fight soon dissipated, allowing South Africa to wrap up a dominant win.

Windies wait goes on

Defeat here means the Windies have still not won a Test in South Africa since a 128-run victory in December 2007.

This team was ill-equipped to end that wait, never mind win by such a large margin as just over 15 years ago. The gulf in class was a wide one.

Joburg joy

By contrast, the victory for South Africa marked their 20th in Tests at The Wanderers.

It is the third venue, after Newlands in Cape Town (27) and SuperSport Park in Centurion (22), where the Proteas have prevailed in 20 or more Tests.

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