The second Test between West Indies and South Africa at Providence Stadium, Guyana, witnessed a moment of pure cricketing brilliance that left the crowd in awe. Kavem Hodge, the West Indian fielder, pulled off a catch that will be replayed for years to come, dismissing the dangerous Tristan Stubbs.

Kavem Hodge plucks a screamer

Hodge, the West Indian fielder, pulled off a stunning catch t?o dismiss the well-set Stubbs, a moment that will be etched in the memories of cricket fans that changed the tide for the Caribbe?an side.

Holder, the West Indian all-rounder, set the trap with a full delivery outside off stump. Stubbs, eager to accelerate, pushed at the ball with hard hands. The edge was thick and flew swiftly towards the slip cordon. Hodge, stationed at third slip, displayed e??xtraordinary reflexes as he moved to his left, balancing himself precariously to pluck a two-handed stunner. The ball was traveling at a rapid pace, and Hodge had to make a split-second decision. His judgment was impeccable, and the catch was executed with perfection.

This dismissal proved to be a turning point in the match, as Stubbs was looking dangerous and had the potential to take the game away from the West Indies. Hodge’s brilliance not only removed a key batter but also lifted the spirits of his teammates, injecting much-needed momentum into the Caribbean camp.

Here’s the tweet:

Top grab from Hodge, Jason is in the wickets!🔥#WIvSA | #MenInMaroon pic.twitter.com/9fWnDX2Tqu

— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) August 15, 2024

Also READ: WI vs?? SA: Fast bowlers dominate as 17 wickets fall on Day 1 of Guyana Test

A battle of grit and determination

The opening day of the second Test between West Indies and South Africa was a one-sided affair, with the hosts dominating proceedings from the outset. The Proteas, put into bat, were bundled out for a paltry 160 runs, with Shamar Joseph wreaking havoc with the ball, claimi?ng five wickets.

Tony de Zorzi and  Stubbs were the only South African batters to show some resistance, but their efforts were in vain as the West Indian bowlers proved too hot to handle. Hodge, apar?t from his stunning catch, also contributed with the bat, scoring a crucial 45 runs.

In reply, West Indies were in a spot of bother, losing early wickets. However, Jason Holder and Joshua Da Silva steadied the ship with a crucial partnership. Although the West Indies innings?? was cut short by rain, they managed to reach?? 97/7, with Holder remaining unbeaten on 33.

The day 1 of the match was eventually stumped, with West Indies trailing by 63 runs. The performance of the West Indian bowlers, coupled with Hodge’s brilliance in the field, would have given them immense confidence in playing the series decider.

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On Day 1 of the second Test between West Indies and South Africa at Providence Stadium, Guyana, Shamar Joseph delivered an outstanding performance that left the visitors struggling. The West Indian pacer showcased his skill with the ball, particularly with his dismissal of South African opener Aiden Markram.

Aiden Markram’s dismissal: A perfect delivery 

Joseph’s dismissal of Markram was a classic example of skillful seam bowling, utilizing the wobble seam technique to perfection. On the third ball of the 11th over, Joseph delivered a good length ball with a wobble seam, a subtle yet effective variation that causes the ball to deviate unpredictably after pitching. The ball was pitched just outside off-stump, angling into the right-hander. Markram, misjudging the line and the movement, decided to leave the delivery, anticipating it to hold its line or move away slightly, as previous deliveries had done.

However, the ball, instead of moving away, continued on its inward trajectory due to the angle created by Joseph’s delivery and the wobble seam’s influence. The length was slightly fuller than a traditional good length, enough to tempt Markram into thinking the ball might go over the stumps. Instead, it crashed into the top of the off-stump, a perfect result for Joseph, who celebrated the wicket with visible enthusiasm. Markram, who had scored 14 off 30 deliveries, was left to rue his misjudgment, leaving South Africa in a precarious position at 20/2.

Here’s the video:

Shamar Joseph's 1st Test wicket on homesoil and it's a double wicket maiden!💥🤯#WIvSA | #MenInMaroon pic.twitter.com/Hh6pgfNDZP

— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) August 15, 2024

Also READ: South Africa unveils T20I squad for West Indies tour; Kw?ena Maphaka earns maiden call-up

West Indies stumble early as South Africa launches counterattack

Joseph delivered a standout performance, taking five wickets to leave South Africa struggling at 160, despite a late 63-run partnership between Dane Piedt and Nandre Burger. Joseph’s aggressive bowling dismantled the South African batting lineup, with key dismissals including Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham. In response, the West Indies faltered, losing top-order wickets quickly. Mikyle Louis was bowled for a duck, and Captain Kraigg Brathwaite was dismissed for just 3 runs. By the end of first day play, the West Indies were at 97/7, trailing by 63 runs, with Jason Holder at the crease?? with the tail, needing to mount a strong fightback on Day 2.

Also READ:?? WI vs SA: Fast bowlers dominate as 17 wickets fall on Day 1 of Guyan??a Test

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Kagiso Rabada, South Africa’s leading fast bowler, delivered a stellar performance in the opening Test against the West Indies, claiming four wickets. His incisive bowling was crucial in putting pressure on the West Indian batters. Rabada’s ability to extract movement and maintain pace was evident throughout the match, significantly contributing to the Proteas’ competitive edge.

Thrilling conclusion to the First Test

The first Test in Trinidad concluded in a draw. The final day was filled with suspense as the West? Indies, chasing a challenging target of 298, ended at 201/5. The game saw fluctuating fortunes with South Africa setting a demanding target after scoring 357 in their first innings. Despite the West Indies�?resilient response of 233, South Africa declared their second innings at 173/3. Unfortunately, persistent rain limited play, resulting in only 56.2 overs being bowled before the match ended in a draw. The second Test between both the sides will take place at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on August 15.

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Kagiso Rabada’s amusing beachside pitch analysis

After the intense action of the Test, Rabada was seen on a Caribbean beach, humorously analyzing how a cricket pitch might perform if constructed on the sandy surface. In a video uploaded up SuperSport on their social media account on X, his playful examination took into account the humid conditions and the san??dy nature of the hypothetical pitch. Rabada speculated that such a pitch would produce unpredictable bounce due to the soft sand, while the moisture from the adjacent sea could also cause the? ball to spin unexpectedly.

Rabada’s detailed yet amusing pitch analysis h??ighlighted his ability to blend cricketing insight with humor. He suggested that the combination of moisture and sand would create a pitch with unusual characteristics, making it a challenge for both bowlers and batsmen. This light-hearted analysis provided a refreshing contrast to the seriousness of international cricket and showcased Rabada’s engaging personality.

“As you can see if you look at the sand over here, this is quite a sandy condition with a bit of moisture in the landscape over here, so we might get some turn and nip. It’s just two elements, dry and wet, combining together, and let’s see how that wicket plays. A little bit soft, as you can see the finger goes right in. Expecting a bit of tacky bounce, and we will see how the game goes. That’s the pitch report from Trinidad and Tobago. See you soon.” Rabada said.

Here’s the video:

A pitch report with a bit of a twist 😭

Episode 2 of Tour Diaries with the Proteas is out now on the SuperSport YouTube channels 📱 pic.twitter.com/57OlXz9qbN

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) August 13, 2024

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