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Weather allowing, a thrilling final day is planned for a Test that appeared destined for a draw, after South Africa took the game by storm on the fourth evening. South Africa built a 124-run lead in the first innings despite only two hours of play on Saturday. They knocked the West Indies out for 233 and then scored 30 runs in five overs to put themselves in a position to challenge for a victory.
This Test has been impacted by rain on every day thus far. Play didn’t seem to be happening today because a yellow-level alert was issued in several portions of the island due to more than 50mm of rain. However, play at Queen’s Park Oval resumed after a six-hour break, and South Africa quickly gained the upper hand. In order to guarantee they would be batting again by the end of the day, they induced a West Indian collapse of 6 for 60 in 16.1 overs.
It’s remarkable enough that this much has transpired considering the total amount of time wasted, especially on the first and fourth days. Day one’s activity was shortened, with only 15 overs available, while Day Four’s action was slated for 30 overs.
South Africa was 13 overs away from the second new ball when play resumed, and they had spin from both ends, thus Aiden Markram had to open the day’s play. Jason Holder was quick to seize the chance to put pressure on the white-ball skipper of South Africa by hitting the opening ball past the covers for four runs. He then struck Markram towards deep midwicket and over mid-off, but Markram emerged victorious in the mini-battle when he crushed Holder’s off stump in his tenth over. After three balls, Joshua da Silva was caught at mid-on by Keshav Maharaj, who took his fourth wicket of the innings.
Aiden Markram had to start the play of the day since South Africa possessed spin from both ends and was 13 overs away from the second new ball when play resumed. Jason Holder did not waste any time in getting the first ball past the covers for four runs, applying pressure to the South African white-ball captain. After that, he hit Markram over mid-off and into deep midwicket, but in his tenth over, Markram shattered Holder’s off stump to win the mini-battle. Joshua da Silva was caught at mid-on by Keshav Maharaj after three deliveries, giving him his fourth wicket of the game.
South Africa was eager to score as many runs as they could because further rain was predicted for Sunday. Markram and de Zorzi therefore set out with purpose. They were fast between the wickets and active at the crease. With back-to-back cover drives off Roach’s second over, Markram displayed his class. De Zorzi hit Seales in the air past point for four in the final over of the day. He reached for a wide ball after two balls and received a thick outside edge. Hodge completed a dismal day for the West Indies when he fumbled the ball at first slip after he hesitated for a split second and managed to get both hands on it.