The match was close at hand. It would only be done if the opponent was wrapped up. But South Africa could not do that. Alik Athanaje stood alone as a shield on the final day of the Trinidad Test. In the end, the Proteas did not see victory due to his determination. You have to be satisfied with the draw.
At the end of the fourth day, South Africa was ahead in the match. On the fifth day, the Protea batsmen played with the bat keeping in mind the situation of the match. Sometimes they went ahead with aggressive batting. South Africa’s innings progressed with intelligent batting.
The opening pair of Tony Di Georgi and Aiden Markram scored 78 runs. Markram was joined by Tristan Stubbs after Tony Di Georgi departed after a 60-ball 45. Stubbs batted in T20 mood. In between, Markram departed after playing an innings of 38 runs from 48 balls.
Stubbs was running at his own pace. This young man was playing shots at an even pace around the field. He was accompanied by captain Temba Bavuma who dropped to four. This batsman, Stubbs, was dismissed after the team scored 173 runs after picking up a fifty. South Africa announced the innings there. Stubbs played a brilliant innings of 68 runs off 50 balls.
South Africa had a lead of 124 runs in the first innings. West Indies therefore set a target of 298 to win. In the second innings, Craig Brathwaite departed in the first over. Mikail Lewis also returned with 9 runs. The next story is about Athanasius.
Athanaje continued to advance the team by holding one end with great determination. The rest of the batters also provided as much support as they could. Among them, KC Carty played an innings of 31 runs off 54 balls. Then Kavem Haj also played an innings of 29 runs off 55 balls. But Athanasius could not be swayed.
In great batting, the fifty kept running towards the century. However, he had to stop when he was within touching distance of the century. Athanaje got out after playing an amazing innings of 92 runs off 116 balls in the team’s 192 runs. Jason Holder and Joshua Da Silva did not allow any danger in the rest of the period.
In the end, the day’s play ended after West Indies scored 201 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in 56.2 overs. Holder was unbeaten with 31 runs off 76 balls. On the other hand, Joshua survived by scoring 2 runs off 10 balls.