West Indies is currently touring South Africa and playing a three-day practice match against South Africa Invitation XI ahead of the start of the 1st Test match on February 28.
Caribbean bowlers Akeem Jordan and Roston Chase took three wickets apiece to prevent South Africa Invitational XI from taking a 34-run first-innings lead at the end of the second day of the three-day practice match at Willowmoore Park in Benoni, South Africa on Wednesday.
Visitors declared their first innings at 283/9, with Joshua da Silva unbeaten on 55 and Corbin Bosch finishing as South Africa XI’s best bowler with 2/20 from 12 overs.
The second day of the three-day tour between West Indies and South Africa XI on Wednesday was always going to be about Dewald Brevis.
That they were bowled out for 317 just before stumps were drawn wasn’t even the biggest drawcard, but Brevis’ first proper senior red ball innings was definitely the main course of a run-filled day.
Brevis (50), who strode in at number four after Daniel Smith picked out Akeem Jordan at gully, took four balls to get off the mark.
Once he did, he showed excellent judgment and with the visitors already cognisant of his ability, the main Test fast bowlers in Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Shannon Gabriel, and Kemar Roach were all thrown at him.
Roach, the best of the talented West Indian lot, asked pressing questions on and just outside off-stump. Brevis, who hasn’t played a lot of red-ball cricket since his school days, handled Roach with the necessary respect.
The West Indian bowlers, who were being rotated with next week’s Test against the Proteas in Centurion in mind, weren’t used in very long spells.
Other fast bowlers were rested and rotated to get their muscles and tendons in shape, but there was a feeling that scoring opportunities against a Test-class attack were not fully exploited for the young SA team.
Hoverer, Off-spinner Chase bowled 19 overs that could be called a benchmark to see if he will be a viable bowling option at SuperSport Park next week.
This allowed Brevis to settle into his stride without undue difficulty. In his partnerships with Wihan Lubbe (71) and Jiveshan Pillay (25), Brevis indeed looked like the player he’s been set out to be as the star of the future.
A group of left-handed batsmen that included Bryce Parsons (25), Smith (33), Pillay, and Ruwan de Sward (40) played some impressive shots but did not get a run to show for their efforts.
Fast bowler Jordan took 3/34 in 11.5 overs and off-spinner Chase took 3/98 in 19 overs, but South Africa XI were all out for 317 to take a 34-run first-innings lead. Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel was also among the wickets with figures of 2/45 in ten overs.
Play resumes on Thursday where the regional players will get a final batting practice ahead of Tuesday’s Test.
Scores in brief
West Indians: 283/9 declared (Jason Holder 58, Josh da Silva 55, Corbin Bosch 2/20, Hlompho Modimokoane 2/35, Smangaliso Nhlebela 2/70, Thando Ntini 1/22, Bryce Parsons 1/24, Wihan Lubbe 1/41)
South Africa Invitational XI: 317 all out (Wihan Lubbe 71, Dewald Brevis 50, Ruan de Swardt 40, Corbin Bosch 31*, Akeem Jordan 3/32, Roston Chase 3/94, Shannon Gabriel 2/45)
West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite(c), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Raymon Reifer, Jermaine Blackwood, Kyle Mayers, Roston Chase, Joshua Da Silva(w), Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Shannon Gabriel, Devon Thomas, Kemar Roach, Akeem Jordan
South African Invitation XI: Wihan Lubbe(c), Daniel Smith, Bryce Parsons, Dewald Brevis, Wandile Makwetu(w), Ruan de Swardt, Evan Jones, Corbin Bosch, Codi Yusuf, Thando Ntini, Smangaliso Nhlebela, Hlompo Modimokwane
West Indies in South Africa schedule:
February 21-23 – Warm-up match vs SA Invitational XI (Benoni)
Feb 28-March 4 – 1st Test (Centurion), March 8-12 – 2nd Test (Johannesburg)
March 16 – 1st ODI (East London), March 18 – 2nd ODI (East London), March 21 – 3rd ODI (Potchefstroom)
March 25 – 1st T20I (Centurion), March 26 – 2nd T20I (Centurion), March 28 – 3rd T20I (Johannesburg)