Athanaze Heroics Guide West Indies To South Africa Draw

Alick Athanaze missed out on a maiden Test century but played the key role in ensuring the safety of a draw for the West Indies against South Africa on the final day of the rain-affected first Test of a two-match

Alick Athanaze (Image Source: Google)

'Not enough time' -

His maiden Test half-century was supported by openers Tony de Zorzi (45) and Aiden Markram (38) in scoring at almost a run-a-ball before captain Temba Bavuma declared when Stubbs was bowled by veteran seamer Kemar Roach.

"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."

Given the significant interruptions by rain – more than two days' playing time was lost - there is already concern the second and final Test, scheduled for the Guyana National Stadium from Thursday, will also suffer a similar fate.

It again raises questions about the wisdom of scheduling international cricket – especially Test matches – in the southern Caribbean at the heart of the rainy season.