Kraigg Brathwaite: As a batting unit, only batting 100 overs in both innings, that was a big loss. We should have batted at least 90 overs in the first innings. [On the surface] I did not last too long. Some balls were kept low, some balls were getting bounced. It had a lot for the bowlers. But we should have done better with the bat. Our bowlers did a good job. SA batted extremely well on day one, but the bowlers pulled things back in the last session, With the bat, we weren’t good enough. Today, the bowlers bowled SA out for under 120. As batters, we have to improve. We just have to come better in the next game. There is not much you can do, we can have nets. Mentally, when you get in, you have to be more clear, be more precise. We can’t go practice and change the technique. We got starts, but we did not get any hundreds, but we have to get starts and get some runs. [Bowlers] They are very potent bowlers. They did not do well in Australia, but Kemar and Alzarri, and Jason this morning, were superb.
Temba Bavuma: Feels good, we came to do just that. Big positive for us. [On the collapse] That was a crazy hour in the end. We threw the advantage and all the good work we did. We knew we had the opportunity today as we had runs on the board. The wicket did not get easier, there was variable bounce. With our attack, we are used to defending that. [On a score that would have felt comfortable to defend] Never really spoke about a score. We did not get many partnerships. At the time Aiden was there, Klaasen came in, for me 300 would have been very tough. The 250 lead eventually, proved to be a lot. The bowlers need to rest, it was a big effort from them. The batters need to get together and have that game plan. We need to do better next time.
Aiden Markram is the Player of the Match: Always nice to get a Test win. On a hot day, that feels well. [Opening the batting] Pretty much what I have done my whole career. We all want to score runs, sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t. I have played a lot of cricket here and to front up at home, I am glad I could do well. [On the surface] It starts off quite slowly, but once the sun bakes it, the cracks open up. Quite slow on day one and then quickens up as the Test goes on. [On his runs] A bit of fortune but will take it.
South Africa vs West Indies Highlights today, Thursday 2-3-2023. 1st Test, West Indies tour of South Africa, SuperSport Park, Centurion.
Toss: South Africa chose to bat.
South Africa team: Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (c), Keegan Petersen, Heinrich Klaasen †, Senuran Muthusamy, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Gerald Coetzee.
West Indies team: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Raymon Reifer, Jermaine Blackwood, Kyle Mayers, Roston Chase, Joshua Da Silva †, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel.
Head to Head In Test’s: 30
South Africa Won: 20
West Indies Won: 3
South Africa Test Rankings: 4th
West Indies Test Rankings: 8th
Form guide
(Last five matches; most recent first)
South Africa DLLLL
West Indies WDLLW
Match Timings: 8:00 AM GMT | 10:00 AM Local
Umpires – Kumar Dharmasena, Marais Erasmus
TV Umpire – Paul Reiffel
Match Referee – Ranjan Madugalle
Reserve Umpire – Allahudien Paleker
Match number – Test no. 2495
