SAvWI 1st test drawn , Maharaj , Athanaze shines

South Africa and West Indies is currently playing a 2 test series & both had aspirations of winning the rain-affected first Test, but ultimately had to settle for a draw .

On the fifth and final day at Queen’s Park Oval, South Africa set a target of 298 runs for West Indies. Alick Athanaze led the hosts' chase with an impressive 92 filled with glorious strokes . However, West Indies ended their second innings on 201-5 as both teams began to run out of overs, with light checks interrupting the evening session.

Earlier in the day, South Africa resumed their second innings at 30-0 from five overs, holding an overall lead of 154 runs. They declared at 173-3 from 29 overs, with Tristan Stubbs contributing a breezy 68 before being bowled by Kemar Roach on the last ball before the declaration in the morning session.

Rain had plagued the match from the beginning, allowing only 15 overs to be bowled on the first day. On the final day, lunch was called five minutes early with West Indies at 11-1. The start of the afternoon session was also delayed. Despite Athanaze reaching his half-century, a draw appeared to be the most likely outcome, with West Indies at 121-3 at tea, still needing 177 runs in a maximum of 34 remaining overs.

West Indies quickly lost Kavem Hodge, who was caught behind for 29 in a wicket maiden bowled by left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj. Jason Holder then joined Athanaze at 127-4, and the pair built a 65-run partnership. However, Maharaj effectively ended West Indies' hopes of a victory when Athanaze was caught for 92 after top-edging to Ryan Rickelton.

With fewer than 10 overs left and West Indies at 192-5, still needing 106 runs for victory, the hosts managed only three runs over the next three overs. The draw was eventually agreed upon after Holder (31 not out) hit a six, bringing West Indies to 201-5. Maharaj finished with figures of 4-88 from 26.2 overs.

Earlier in the match after a rain affected day one South Africa piled on 357 in their first innings buoyed by impressive half centuries from Zorzi (78) & skipper Bavuma (86) supported by cameos from Bedingham (29) , Verreyene (39) & Moulder (41) . Warrican took 4 wickets will Seales & Roach took 3 and 2 wickets respectively . The Protean bowlers led by Maharaj who took 4 wickets and Rabada (3 wickets) reduced West Indies to 233 in the 1st innings  to give the tourists a 124 run lead and a chance to win . Both openers Braithwaite and Lewis made 35 each while Karty scored 42 and later Holder scored a vital 31 to extend Windies first innings score . However after all the subsequent efforts by the tourists  too many rain interruptions had its final say in the drawn result .  Maharaj for 8 wickets in the game was the player of the match .

The 2nd test will be played at Georgetown Guyana .