Twitter Reactions: South Africa take the upper hand after Quinton de Kock and bowlers shine

South Africa made a sedate start to their campaign in the second Test against the West Indies after they managed 218 for five on the opening day. On the second day at the Daren Sammy National Stadium, Dean Elgar and Co strengthened their grip on the match after the bowlers stepped in. At the close of play on day two, the visitors have taken a massive lead of 149 in the first innings.

De Kock fights  

Quinton de Kock, who was unbeaten on 59, carried on from where he left. He went on to score 96 runs off 162 balls and got out to Kyle Mayers in the 106th over. His knock was laced with eight fours. He didn’t get much support from the others, however.

Keshav Maharaj tried to put his head down before Jason Holder dismissed him. Kagiso Rabada hit three fours to stay unbeaten on 21 off 23. For the hosts, Mayers and Kemar Roach got three scalps each. After being restricted to 298, South Africa made a strong comeback as their bowlers made life tough for the Caribbean batters.

Kraigg Brathwaite’s poor run with the bat continued as he perished to Rabada for a golden duck. Kieran Powell, who had come in place of the concussed Nkrumah Bonner, got out to pacer Lungi Ngidi.

South Africa dominate

Roston Chase was West Indies’ standout batter in the first game, but he fell cheaply as well. Mayers became Maharaj’s maiden victim. However, Shai Hope and Jermaine Blackwood steadied the ship with a partnership of 43 runs for the fifth wicket.

Ngidi castled Hope for 43 to separate the duo. Jason Holder couldn’t survive the heat either as he fell prey to Rabada after hitting two fours. The hosts’ tail couldn’t show much might as West Indies were bowled out for a mere 149 in 54 overs. Wiaan Mulder failed with the bat but made amends with the ball.

The pacer picked up three wickets, conceding only one run in four overs. Rabada, Ngidi, and Maharaj got two wickets each. The South African batters will now look to extend the lead out of the home team’s reach on day three.

Here’s how the netizens reacted to Islamabad the second days’ play:

So I passed out early and woke up to this…@WiaanMulder bowled 4 overs, had 3 maidens, 1 run, economy of 0.25 and took 3 wickets…its 3am, am I still sleeping…someone wake me up…brrrrrrrrrrrrr#WIvSA pic.twitter.com/ssqe727hev

— Ke Mawazawaza (@gmawaza) June 20, 2021

What a Spell. Career Best Bowling figures for @wiaan_m in Tests 3/1.@OfficialCSA #WIvSA

— JaayShaan(Shankar) (@JaayShaan) June 20, 2021

Seems like a repeat of the first test. West Indies are done and dusted in this test too unless nature stops it. Really a pity to see WI in such a vulnerable state and that too at home. After the disastrous tour of Pakistan, SA have improved drastically #WIvSA #SAvWI https://t.co/Oj50JoLypA

— SirDonBradman (@BradmanSir) June 20, 2021

West Indies all out on 149 in their first innings in 2nd Test and South Africa takes a lead of 149 in the behalf of first innings. Quality bowling Performance by proteas bowlers. Mulder picked 3 wickets and Ngidi, Rabada, Maharaj Picked 2 Wickets each. #WIvSA pic.twitter.com/hSywnnC9IY

— CricketMAN2 (@man4_cricket) June 20, 2021

Tremendous effort with the bat again by QDK. Bowlers once again doing an outstanding job despite day 2 having less movement than day 1. Imagine the destruction had we bowled first. Wian Mulder bagging 3 wickets for 1 run in 4 overs are quite the figures. #WIvSA

— Riaz 🇿🇦🇵🇸🔰 (@RiazHamed2) June 19, 2021

First innings score of a team exactly twice of their opposition in a Test:-

ENG🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (470) vs AUS🇦🇺 (235) at Adelaide, 1971
SA🇿🇦 (460) vs PAK🇵🇰 (230) at Johannesburg, 1995
SA🇿🇦 (298) vs WI🏝️ (149) at Gros Islet, 2021#WIvSA

— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) June 19, 2021

Many misses in the first innings.
Team scores – South Africa 298, West Indies 149
Player scores – de Kock 96, Hope 43, Blackwood 49
Runs conceded – Roach 45, Seales 44, Holder 47, Nortje 41, Maharaj 47
Extras conceded – West Indies 44#WIvSA

— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) June 19, 2021

Close-of-play interview with @JBlackwood100, who top scored with 49 in WI first innings! #MenInMaroon #WIvSA 🏏🌴 pic.twitter.com/s0SWvpRC5D

— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) June 19, 2021

WI lose their last 4 wickets for 6 runs, bringing a miserable 1st inns to a close. SA lead by 149 runs and can bat WI completely out of the game on Sunday. Long way back for the Windies #WIvSA #Cricket

— MediumPaceDobbler (@MediumPaceDobb1) June 19, 2021