Twitter Reactions: West Indies grind hard as Raymon Reifer’s gritty fifty holds innings together on Day 2

On a hot day in Centurion, the West Indies managed to get 212 runs at the end of their innings on Day 2 against hosts South Africa in the ongoing first Test. The Proteas began the day’s play with a score of 314 runs on the board for the loss of eight wickets from Day 1.

Alzarri Joseph’s five-wicket haul concluded South Africa’s innings as they got to 342 runs on the board. As the Windies began their batting innings, the side swiftly lost Tagenarine Chanderpaul and skipper Kraigg Brathwaite for just 58 runs. However, Raymon Reifer’s knock revived the innings as he put up a tough fight to counter the South African bowling attack.

The Windies were placed decently at 169/3 after tea and displayed great potential of getting closer to South Africa’s total. However, the side suddenly lost the plot just just like the Proteas did in the final session of Day 1. Reifer’s vital innings was cut short by Marco Jansen who dismissed the former for 62 runs off 143 balls.

Kraigg Brathwaite-led Windies lost seven wickets for just 43 runs, conceding a lead of 130 runs to hosts. Anrich Nortje, Gerald Coetzee, and Kagiso Rabada had their tails up which paid them rich dividends to reduce the rival side for 212 runs in the second innings of the contest. Nortje scalped a five-wicket haul with impressive bowling figures of 5/36 in 16 overs with an economy 2.25. Meanwhile, Coetzee and Rabada shared four wickets between them whereas Jansen got one to this name.

South Africa lose four wickets in quick time 

Proteas opener Aiden Markram got off to a fluent start despite Alzarri Joseph hitting the deck hard at 140km/h on a consistent basis. Markram targeted the length balls from the pacer to claim the boundaries on multiple occasions. However, Joseph eventually bounced back and returned with two wickets to his name in quick time as he claimed the vital sclaps of Dean Elgar and skipper Temba Bavuma.

Veteran pacer Kemar Roach got Tony de Zorzi's wicket as South Africa were 34 for the loss off three. This was followed by Jason Holder trapping Keegan Petersen in his very first ball to claim the fourth wicket for the side. As the Windies bowlers found a way to breach the top-order, the Proteas conlcuded the day's play with 49 runs and a lead of 179 runs.

Here's how Twitter reacted

SPORTSBUZZINFO@Sportsbuzinfo

Temba Bavuma got out on duck in both innings in the first Test against West Indies. #SAVSWI #TembaBavuma

08:55 PM · Mar 01, 2023

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paRaY_YasiR@ParayYasir2

Two ducks in two innings for Bavuma.. Not a good start to his captaincy era. #savswi #testcricket

08:52 PM · Mar 01, 2023

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💀@ad_infintum

Alzarri Joseph has became such a gun bowler in last 1-2 years, can remember good performances from ipl, aus T20 series, SA20. Now across formats too.

08:51 PM · Mar 01, 2023

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Alzarri Joseph appreciation 👏🏽

— Melan 🐼 (@DravidMelan) March 1, 2023

brett Fish anderson@BrettFishA

Okay phew, someone else figured out how to score some runs. We desperately need Markram there til the end of the day, but best if they both are and have a little partnership going. Tomorrow morning should be easier batting again... #SAvsWI

08:57 PM · Mar 01, 2023

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Gavin du Plessis@Spot_the_G

What the hell is this @ProteasMenCSA batting lineup 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 we could genuinely lose this! Markram and Klaasen the last remaining hopes! Bavuma and Elgar to be dropped for the 2nd Test in favour of two batters 👏 Rickelton in at the very least! #sscricket #SAvsWI

08:50 PM · Mar 01, 2023

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Veturi Sarma@veturisarma

Raymon Reifer. The new WI no 3's name got a ring to it.

07:38 PM · Mar 01, 2023

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Raja Sekhar Yadav@cricketwithraju

Away 50+ test scores in 2023 : 🔹Raymon reifer - 3* (4 innings) 🔹Harry brook - 3 (4 innings) 🔹Joe root - 3 (4 innings) Raymon reifer didn't have a test century. But he faced more test balls than Harry brook in 2023.

07:32 PM · Mar 01, 2023

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Faiz Fazel@theFaizFazel

The Proteas were 49-4, and leading by 179 runs, at stumps on day two of the first Test against the West Indies in Centurion. #SAvWI

09:08 PM · Mar 01, 2023

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Alankrith Shankar@AlanzArena

The way SA are playing, WI are going to be chasing 250 tomorrow at lunch time. #SAvWI

09:07 PM · Mar 01, 2023

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naeemah@NaeemahBenjamin

Another batting collapse by SA. From 33-0 to 49-4 🙈 The final session of both days has been filled with wickets aplenty 🤤 #SAvWI

09:06 PM · Mar 01, 2023

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Okuhle Sapo@OkuhleSapo

South African batters over the past couple of years have dismally failed to live up to the occasion. You can't be 49/4 after your bowlers give us a lead like that. Real disappointing stuff #SAvWI

09:06 PM · Mar 01, 2023

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