South Africa defeats West Indies in day 3 of test series

 South Africa staged a remarkable recovery on yesterday’s third day of the 5-day 1^st Test to defeat the West Indies by 87 runs at Centurion in South Africa, and take a 1-0 lead in the 2-match ICC World Test Cricket Championship.

At the close of play on Wednesday’s second day, South Africa were in some trouble on 49-4 in their second innings to partially recover to reach a total of 116. Opening batsman, Aiden Markram’s 47 was the top-score  after fast bowler, Kemar Roach took 5-47, and his fellow fast bowlers, Alzarri Joseph had 2-30, Jason Holder finished 2-7, and Shannon Gabriel 1-26.

The West Indies were set 247 runs to win but collapsed for 169 in their 2^nd Innings. Jermain Blackwood’s 79 was their best individual score. No other batsman reached 20. They just could not cope with South Africa’s fast bowlers, especially Kagiso Rabada, who took 6-50. Marco Jansen had 2-33, with a wicket each to Anrich Nortje (1-48) and Gerald Coetzee (1-20).

The final scores: South Africa 342 and 116, the West Indies 212 and 159. South Africa won by 87 runs in three days.