West Indies Rue Missed Opportunity in First Innings Loss to South Africa

West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite has identified the team's failure to capitalize on their bowling performance in the first innings as a crucial factor in their 40-run loss to South Africa in the second Test in Providence.

Despite bowling South Africa out for a meager 160, the West Indies bowlers were unable to take a significant lead, as Dane Piedt and Nandre Burger added a crucial 63-run partnership for the final wicket. In response, the West Indies were bowled out for 144, conceding a 16-run deficit.

"Our first innings total needed to be bigger. We needed to get a lead from it," Brathwaite said. "I think that was very important. You can never complain about the bowlers' effort to bowl them out for 160, but yeah, the batting effort in the first innings just wasn't big enough."

Despite the disappointing result, Brathwaite highlighted several positives from the series, including the performances of Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales, and Jason Holder. Joseph took five wickets in the first innings, while Seales was the West Indies' leading wicket-taker with 12, including a six-wicket haul in the second innings. Holder scored a half-century in the first innings.

Brathwaite also praised the bowling of the two spinners, Rahkeem Cornwall and Veerasammy Permaul, who both conceded less than three runs per over in the second innings.

"I think bowling-wise, you look at Shamar coming back in, not playing the first Test, and coming in bowling out South Africa on the first day. Jayden throughout the series, continued to keep coming despite the hot conditions. That was a positive," Brathwaite said.

"You see the two spinners, one of the first time two spinners played together in the Caribbean, and they did well, in particular this game where both of them were under three runs an over. That's one thing we asked for, and that was great to see."

Looking ahead, Brathwaite expressed excitement about the potential of the West Indies' fast bowling unit, which includes Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, and Seales. However, he also emphasized the importance of the batting unit.

"I must say, I'm very excited about the batting unit. I really think the line-up we have, can do the job," Brathwaite said. "So, we just got to keep believing."

Tags: #WestIndies, #SouthAfrica, #TestCricket, #KraiggBrathwaite, #ShamarJoseph