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1. LUCIA. — Kagiso Rabada (5-19) completed his 10th five-wicket haul and Keshav Maharaj claimed two quick wickets in the morning session to dismiss the West Indies for a meagre 162 before a delayed lunch break for South Africa to win the first Test cricket at the Darren Sammy Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia by an innings and 63 runs.

Resuming on 82-4 with another 143 runs still required just to make South Africa bat again, Roston Chase moved from his overnight 21 not to a top score of 62 (156 balls, 7×4, 1×6) before chopping a delivery from left-arm spinner Maharaj onto his stumps to end any realistic hopes of a fightback.

First to go was Jermain Blackwood who obligingly fell straight into the trap set for him by driving a full-length delivery from Rabada straight to Rassie van der Dussen stationed at short mid-off. His 13 spanned 45 balls but it was only a matter of time before he played his favourite shot.

Former captain Jason Holder (4) completely misjudged a straight delivery from Maharaj, played no shot and heard the ‘death rattle’ as the ball hit the top of off stump.

Chase did play a shot at another Maharaj ‘straight-onner’ but the ball was too close to him for the cut shot and a bottom edge clattered into the stumps. Maharaj finished with the outstanding analysis of 11-5-23-2.

Rahkeem Cornwall (0) showed little stomach for the fight and drove another full-length delivery from Rabada to Van der Dussen at an orthodox mid-off position and the hosts were 141-8. Rabada completed his five-wicket haul by bowling a gutsy Joshua de Silva (9 from 51 balls) and the match ended when Anrich Nortje (3-46) had last man Jayden Seales (3) caught by Wiaan Mulder in the slip cordon.

It was an outstanding all-round test match for the tourists who dismissed the West Indies for a feeble 97 in the first innings after they had chosen to bat first with Lungi Ngidi taking 5-19 and Anrich Nortje 4-35 giving him a match haul of 7-81.

If the bowlers laid the platform for victory, it was Man of the Match, Quinton de Kock, who built most impressively on it with a brilliant, unbeaten 141 from 170 balls with 12 fours and seven sixes.

“I haven’t given it much thought yet but it is very satisfying, obviously. We paced the innings well and I was able to up the tempo at the right time to give us a good lead,” De Kock said.

“It was an outstanding all-round effort,” said Proteas captain Dean Elgar. “It has been a two-week process leading up to this, a lot of planning, I would like to think it didn’t happen because of luck. I asked for individuals to score hundreds and take five-fors, and we had three of those accolades. — AFP.