Set the unlikely victory target of 298 after the Proteas declared their second innings at 173 for three just before lunch, Atahanze’s determined 92 and a fifth-wicket partnership of 65 with Jason Holder (31 not out) guided the hosts from the discomfort of 127 for four just after tea to 201 for five at the end of play. Kraigg Brathwaite departed for a duck as Keshav Maharaj gave the Proteas their first breakthrough.
Thereafter, Kagiso Rabada accounted for the wicket of Mikyle Louis as the Caribbean team was reduced to 18 for two in eight overs. Thereafter, Athanaze stood up and took the attack to the opposition.
He raced to his half-century off 58 balls and went on to score 92 runs off 116 balls, laced with nine fours.
Although he missed out a well-deserved century, Athanaze had made sure that his team was in a position to eke out a draw. He also got the desired support from Keacy Carty, Kavem Hodge and Jason Holder. While Carty and Holder scored 31 each, Hodge made 29.
A performance of intent and aggression from Alick Athanaze ! 🏏💥#WIvSA #MenInMaroon pic.twitter.com/kTUGc3yGmI
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) August 11, 2024
Maharaj picked up four wickets in the first innings, and he backed it up with another four-wicket haul, but his efforts were not enough for South Africa to take a 1-0 lead. Lungi Ngidi, Aiden Markram and Wiaan Mulder failed to make a breakthrough.
“It was just about dragging the length back and trying to exploit the rough outside his off-stump,” said player of the match Maharaj in explaining his plan to claim Athanaze’s wicket.
“Full credit must go to him though for the way he played. I just tried to stick to my plans and utilize different angles from the crease.”
Earlier, the Proteas declared their innings at 173 for three after Tristan Stubbs stepped on the gas to score a 50-ball 68. It was his knock that helped South Africa make West Indies work hard for a draw.
Jomel Warrican, who played a fighting hand with the bat in the first innings, picked up two wickets, but at an economy rate of 6.33.
The second and final Test is scheduled to start on Thursday, August 15 at the Providence Stadium in Guyana.
“We expected the wicket to break up a little more than it did,” Bavuma said.
“In the end we just didn’t have enough time, plus the elements got in the way of what could have been a really good competitive game of cricket.”
West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite, who fell in the first over of the innings, slicing an ambitious lofted drive to cover off Maharaj, was not thinking about a draw when he walked out to bat with opening partner Mikyle Louis.
“We believed we could have gotten the runs,” he stated bluntly.
“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but my message to the boys was to back themselves and fully commit to their plans at the crease.”