Twitter Reactions: Kagiso Rabada’s fifer hands West Indies crushing defeat in opener

After Quinton de Kock’s stupendous century on the second day, South Africa needed to get six wickets on the third day to wrap things up in their opening Test against the West Indies. In the end, it took only 34 overs for the Proteas on day three to hand the Caribbean team a massive defeat in the game at the Daren Sammy International Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia.

Roston Chase looked the most accomplished of the hosts’ batters as he scored 62 runs off 156 balls with the help of seven fours and one six. The rest of the batsmen couldn’t lend him much support as the team folded for 162 in their second innings, giving South Africa a win by an innings and 63 runs.

Rabada wreaks havoc

Kagiso Rabada, who got only one wicket in the first innings, turned out to be the chief destroyer in the second. The speedster picked up five wickets and ran through the home team’s batting lineup. Keshav Maharaj also chipped in with a couple of wickets.

After the loss, Kraigg Brathwaite, the West Indies skipper, said that he didn’t have regrets about batting first since the track showed “variable bounce”. He was also not happy with his team’s batting performance.

“I think so (right decision at the toss?). Saw today there was variable bounce. Pitch was dry. Didn’t bat well in the first innings. We didn’t get a big enough total and were always on the back foot. Even batting second, I still thought we didn’t bat as well as we could,” Brathwaite said.

Dean Elgar, on the other hand, was elated with South Africa’s batters, especially De Kock, Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram. Moreover, the skipper lauded the bowlers for sticking to the basics and reaping the rewards.

“Firm believer in runs on the board first, but we knew the wicket is going to help the seamers in the first session. Great to see our batting unit pass 300. Quinny, Aiden, Rassie… They played well. The basics of bowling are what the bowlers did well here,” Elgar said after the match.

Here’s how the netizens reacted to South Africa’s win:

4th test MOM for Quinton de kock
21st MOM in Intl cricket (8th most by a South African)#WIvSA

— Rippahhh (@141Adelaide) June 13, 2021

This is the first time ever West Indies lost a home Test match by an innings margin inside three days.#WIvSA
© : @kaustats

— Saif Rehman 🇵🇰 (@Saifeeey17) June 13, 2021

Where does Rabada ranks in all time Test fast bowlers for SA?
For me top 3, with Donald and Stayn.#WIvSA

— Cricket baba (@Cricketbaba5) June 12, 2021

Quality hundred by De Kock #WIvSA easy win for the proteas

— Cheap African Labour 🇿🇦 🇬🇧 🇦🇺 (@SeasonTravelerZ) June 12, 2021

3rd day finish in the first test #WIvSA. was searching for few hours & found praises for QDK & good pace bowling. No single tweet of crying over pitch. Why it's only on Indian pitches and spinners? Why is it great bowling by seamers but poor pitch if won by spinners?

— Harikishan (@itzzmeHK) June 12, 2021

MATCH RESULT: Tough one for the #MenInMaroon as @OfficialCSA takes the 1st Betway Test by an innings and 63 runs 🇿🇦 #WIvSA pic.twitter.com/ClibuWsCRq

— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) June 12, 2021

Completely outplayed by South Africa and their mighty pace attack! We have to be better next test! #WIvSA https://t.co/31IZkLTlcs

— Kevin 🇬🇾 (@kevinlokenath) June 12, 2021

Ngidi in 1st inns : 13.5-7-19-5
Rabada in 3rd inns : 20-9-34-5

This is the FIRST time that 2 South African bowlers took a 5-fer in a match in West Indies.#WIvSA

— Rhitankar Bandyopadhyay (@rhitankar8616) June 12, 2021

When there are no quota players in the team, then morale is high and players feel motivated to perform. 💪#QUOTEAS
#WIvSA

— Andile Pheluquota (@QuotaPlayer19) June 12, 2021

Congratulations on your first overseas test win since @TrentBridge 2017 @OfficialCSA #WIvSA #SAvsWI

— Rajeev Saraf (@sarafrajeev10) June 12, 2021