West Indies vs South Africa 2nd Test Highlights Day 1: Wiaan Mulder Leads South Africa Fightback As WI Stumble To 97/7 On Day 1

It still looks like a pace-friendly pitch and we are already in the third innings in the First Session of Day 2. The skies are pretty much clear with the sun peeking out of the scattered clouds. This could very well be another low-scoring innings but it's more exciting to watch some good cricketing action.

We are back for the third innings. The umpires walk out to the middle followed by Tony de Zorzi and Aiden Markram, the opening batters for South Africa. Jayden Seales has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's go...

... THIRD INNINGS ...

Right then, South Africa are 16 runs after the end of the first inning, and would expect an improved batting performance this time around. West Indies after showing a relentless fight with the bat, would like to replicate their performance with the ball like they did earlier. This Test match has progressed at a rapid pace, and with ample time remaining, a definitive result is inevitable. Stay tuned, as the South African inning, commences shortly.

South Africa's bowling attack proved potent, with Wiaan Mulder and Nandre Burger sharing 7 wickets between them. The Proteas' pacers, including Kagiso Rabada, consistently challenged the hosts with varied lines and clever setups. Keshav Maharaj also made his mark, taking a wicket to bring the first day to a close. As play resumed on day two, Rabada and Burger maintained their stranglehold, each adding another wicket to their tally. The West Indies' innings could have concluded at a mere 104 runs, had Aiden Markram not dropped a straightforward catch in the slips. As a result, the salt on the wounds were sprayed by Joseph's relentless counterattack. However, the ploy to summon Keshav Maharaj worked for the Proteas as he wrapped up things taking two to his name.

Phew, what an engrossing play we have had in this first session. Yes, it's a low-scoring affair, but to say the least, it has been a sheer entertainer. After an underwhelming batting performance on Day 1, the dawn of a new day brought a crucial test for the West Indies, who needed to carefully navigate the opening hour. However, their plans were quickly derailed as they lost two wickets within the first 10 overs. Amidst this adversity, Shamar Joseph, after running a riot with the ball, emerged as an unexpected spark with the bat, alongside Jason Holder who notched up his valiant 50. Despite being dropped twice, Joseph adopted an aggressive approach playing some audacious shots to the fence. Joseph and Holder together added 40 runs which shrank the deficit to 16 runs in a rapid time.

OUT! LBW! Finally, South Africa get that final wicket and West Indies have been bundled out for 144 runs in their first innings. The change of bowling has worked as Keshav Maharaj finishes things off for the Proteas. This is nicely tossed up, on a fullish length around middle and turning in. Shamar Joseph sits down for the sweep but fails to connect and gets hit on the pads. There is a loud appeal and after a moment, the umpire raises his finger. Joseph does review it and there's nothing on UltraEdge as Ball Tracking shows the wickets as umpre's call and the onfield decision stands. A very handy cameo from Joseph 25 (27) but West Indies do concede a first-innings deficit of 16 runs.

Is that out? An appeal for LBW and Shamar Joseph challenges the on-field decision. UltraEdge shows a clear gap between the bat and ball. Ball Tracking shows three reds as the ball clips the leg stump on the umpire's call on the projection. OUT it is!

On a good length and on off, this one grips and turns in with some extra bounce, Shamar Joseph does well to keep it down on the leg side.

Flatter one, on a length and around middle, Holder gets across and works it away with an open stance through mid-wicket for one more. West Indies now trail by just 16 runs.

Flighted up, full and around off, Shamar Joseph gets well forward and plays a classy drive down to long on for a single.

Keshav Maharaj (5-2-6-1) is brought into the attack now. He replaces Wiaan Mulder. Shamar Joseph to face him. Interesting to see how will he negotiate against the spin!

Short and on the hips, angling down, Joseph gets inside the line and pulls t just to the left of deep fine for a single. Good work in the deep.

Back of a length and over the stumps, Joseph just tucks it away to the leg side.

Another big grunt from Joseph as he feels he should have put it away. Banged in short and around off, Joseph swivels and looks to pull but misses.

A hit of heat on that one from Rabada! Short of a length and around off, angling it back in, Shamar Joseph is beaten for pace as the ball keeps angling in and the keeper makes a good stop.

FOUR! West Indies matching South Africa stride for stride in terms of the last-wicket partnership. Poor delivery though from KG as he serves a gentle half-volley outside off, Shamar Joseph leans on and waits well before creaming it wide of extra cover for yet another boundary. The partnership now moves on to 37 runs.

Slightly pitched up at the stumps and angling it into the pads, Jason Holder plays it off the inner half of the bat past square leg for a single.

Signs of things to come as this one stays really low. Pace off and banged in on a hard length outside off stump, Shamar Joseph looks to fetch and pull but is completely undone by the lack of pace and bounce.

Keeps the length short and angles it back in towards the body, Joseph falls over looking to tuck and gets rapped on the pads.