South Africa beat West Indies by 40 runs in Guyana on Saturday to secure a 1-0 series win in the Caribbean. Here's what the World Test Championship standings look like after the result.
The first Test of the two-match series in Trinidad ended in a draw after several rain interruptions. While this Test had the occasional shower, the nature of the wicket and the bowling on show contributed to a result within three days.
Electing to bat first, South Africa were reduced to 97-9 on day one before the tenth-wicket pair of Dane Piedt and Nandre Burger hauled them to 160. West Indies went in to bat on the same day, and suffered a similar fate to slide to 97-7 by stumps. They eventually made 144.
Jayden Seales has registered the joint second-best figures by a West Indies bowler against South Africa at home.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) August 17, 2024
The Proteas lost 5-22 runs in their second innings and need to defend 262 for a win.
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South Africa fared much better in their second innings, as Tony de Zorzi and Aiden Markram put on 79 for the first wicket. They ended day two in a position of strength at 223-5, with Kyle Verreynne and Wiaan Mulder in the middle. But after Mulder was dismissed early on day three, the floodgates opened and they were bowled out for 246, Jayden Seales picking up 6-61.
With 263 needed for victory, West Indies were up against it, and lost opener Mikyle Louis early. They soon slipped to 104-6 before Gudakesh Motie and Joshua da Silva frustrated the visitors with a 77-run stand for the seventh wicket. That only delayed the inevitable, though, as despite some fight from the tail, the hosts were bowled out for 222, handing South Africa a 40-run win.
Updated WTC points table: South Africa move up, West Indies remain rooted to the bottom
The result has provided South Africa with a much-needed boost, as they look to keep their faint hopes of a WTC final spot alive. Halfway through their campaign, they now sit in fifth place with a points percentage of 38.89 per cent. They will now keep their eyes on the England-Sri Lanka three-match series.
For the West Indies, the situation remains dire. The WTC final has been out of their reach for some time now, but now they are in a race to avoid the wooden spoon. With just one win in nine matches they remain rooted to the foot of the table and will need a significant uptick in form to move upwards.
Both these sides are in action next in November, as South Africa take on Sri Lanka and West Indies play Bangladesh.
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