Cricket
Nortjé takes five-for on wicket-heavy second day─── 07:50 Thu, 02 Mar 2023
Anrich Nortje’s fourth career five-for put the Proteas in a commanding position before they lost a clutter of wickets, surrendering some of that advantage on an action-packed day two of the first Test against the West Indies in Centurion Wednesday.
The fast bowler nabbed five for 36 to send the tourists tumbling to 212 all out after South Africa eventually fell for 342 in their first innings at SuperSport Park – a lead of 130.
However, the hosts were then rocked by the West Indian quicks, who took four more wickets and left them reeling on 49 for four by the close, ending a frantic day. Sixteen wickets fell in total, including an incredible 11 in the final session alone.
However, the Proteas were still well-placed thanks to one man who was standing strong, Aiden Markram, who was unbeaten on 35 and looked assured as he built on his first-innings century. But he will be disappointed with what transpired around him as Dean Elgar fell for one and Tony de Zorzi, together with Temba Bavuma, were removed without troubling the scorers, the captain bagging a pair on his debut as skipper.
Keegan Petersen only managed seven as he too fell for next to nothing as the South Africans endured a forgettable 8.1 overs to end the day. Alzarri Joseph (2/17), Kemar Roach (1/28) and Jason Holder (1/0) were all among the wickets.
Before that, though, they would have been largely pleased with what happened after Marco Jansen (23 not out), Gerald Coetzee (17) and Nortje (14) helped add 28 more to their overnight total of 314 for eight.
West Indies lost captain Kraigg Brathwaite (11) early in the reply when he was bowled by Kagiso Rabada (2/44), before debutant Coetzee (2/45) claimed his first Test scalp by having Tagenarine Chanderpaul (22) well caught by Senuran Muthusamy at gully.
Then came two key stands for the islanders as top-scorer Raymon Reifer (62 off 143 balls, 7 fours) put together 68 with Jermaine Blackwood (37) for the third wicket and Roston Chase (22) helped add a further 47 for the next wicket.
They progressed well to 122 for two and then 169 for three, before Nortjé ran through the lower order to put South Africa firmly on top. The paceman was well supported by Rabada, Coetzee and Jansen (1/64), and gave their side a strong advantage before the late drama allowed their opponents back into the game.
