West Indies batting woes continued against South Africa in the first innings of the second Test at St Lucia after they were bundled out for 149 in reply to the visitors’ 298 and now trail by 149 runs.
The hosts had a terrible start after they lost captain Kraigg Brathwaite for a golden duck and South African bowlers took full advantage of the early breakthrough to rip apart the West Indies batting.
The home side was left tottering at 97/5 before getting bundled out. Jermaine Blackwood and Shai Hope showed some resistance. Blackwood top-scored with 49 while Hope notched up 41 before getting out.
For South Africa, it was Wiaan Mulder who scalped a three-wicket haul while Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Keshav Maharaj picked up a couple of wickets apiece. Anrich Nortje had one to his name.
Earlier, Quinton de Kock who had struck a century in the first match missed out on a consecutive ton after he was undone for 96 by Mayers. South Africa eventually put up 298 before they were bowled out. Kemar Roach and Mayers shared a total of 6 wickets for West Indies.
Hope later admitted that the batsmen didn’t really apply themselves well. “Pretty average (day) for us. We want to be in a better position than this obviously. We worked very hard yesterday to limit them to that score overnight. And to undo all that hard work with the bat .... unfortunate position we are in at the moment. I must commend the bowlers for the job they have done. We worked very hard yesterday, it was nice to see the bowlers finish the job today. But the batsmen didn't do the job today. I have been spending so much time in the field, obviously would want to have a stretch, probably an ice bath if you can, but that's the way cricket goes,” Hope said after the day’s play.
West Indies trail the two-match series 0-1.