DAY one of the first Test between the West Indies and South Africa at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad was brought to a standstill in the first session, 15 overs into the match before the umpires called play on Wednesday night (SA time).
Leading into the opening day, the weather forecast showed that rain would be a factor at some point in the Test, and further highlighted that days one and five would probably be affected the most.
That is precisely what transpired in Port of Spain on Wednesday as Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs were forced to return to the dressing room halfway through the first session, with the visitors on 45/1.
Earlier, Proteas captain Temba Bavuma called correctly at the toss and opted to bat first, a decision that was expected, given the batter-friendly conditions at Queen’s Park Oval and the batter-heavy playing XI that South Africa had selected for the match.
To open the proceedings, Aiden Markram and De Zorzi crossed the boundary ropes and marched to the middle to set the tone for the batting order.
With the surface dry and without a sign of grass, Windies opening bowlers Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales needed to be on the money from the get-go.
From the first ball, Roach sent a good-length delivery at Markram, one that swung into the right-handed batter and hit him on the pads, but it was too high for Roach to show any interest to appeal.
Despite the Proteas openers running well between the wickets to keep the score ticking over, Roach still caused problems as he beat the outside edge on multiple occasions without any luck.
Ultimately, with Roach and Seales having kept the visitors quiet, Windies captain Kraigg Brathwaite called on left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie in search of a wicket.
However, Motie was not allowed to settle into a rhythm as De Zorzi smashed him for a couple of boundaries, forcing the home team’s captain to take the spinner out of the attack.
Brathwaite, though, had one more trick under his sleeve – former captain and all-rounder Jason Holder.
Temba at the Toss 🪙
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) August 7, 2024
Our test captain took to the pitch earlier for the toss!
Have a look with us. 👀#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt#SAvWI pic.twitter.com/lS8h4DBlIm
The right-arm seamer was brought into the attack and struck immediately as he sent Markram’s off-stump cart-wheeling to dismiss the right-hander for just nine.
Markram’s downfall was due to a lack of forward movement in playing Holder’s delivery. And because the ball was on a good length and moving into the right-handed batter, it pierced his defence and sent him on his way.
Not long after, the heavens opened, with Stubbs (2 not out) and De Zorzi (32 not out) at the crease.
Rain has forced an early lunch in the first Test between the West Indies and South Africa in Port of Spain.
Aiden Markram was dismissed for 9 by this beautiful delivery from Jason Holder 👇
#WIvSA pic.twitter.com/b1CkkFFoz4