West Indies face target of 391 after South Africa fold quickly on fourth morning

West Indies

South Africa 320 and 321 (Bavuma 172, Mayers 3-46) lead West Indies 251 by 390 runs

West Indies have been tasked with chasing a record target of 391 at the Wanderers to level the series against South Africa. The highest successful chase at the ground is 310, by Australia in 2011, while the most runs ever scored in a fourth innings at the venue is 450, which South Africa produced in a draw against India in 2013.

South Africa’s last three wickets fell for 34 runs in 36 minutes and 46 balls on the fourth morning, leaving West Indies with more than five-and-a-half sessions to bat.

Captain Temba Bavuma added only a single to his overnight score of 171 before he holed out to deep square leg in the second over of the morning. Bavuma departed to applause from a small but growing Saturday crowd. Keshav Maharaj went in similar fashion but not before starting the day with a cracking cover drive off Kyle Mayers.

Kagiso Rabada, batting at No.11 and having recovered from a back spasm, made the most of his licence to thrill. He middled just about every ball he faced and sent a Mayers legcutter and Holder short, slower ball over midwicket and long-on for sixes in successive overs. Holder cranked up the pace three balls later, cramped Rabada for room, and he top-edged a pull to give Holder his third wicket.

West Indies used a total of eight bowlers in South Africa’s second innings, and wickets were shared among the seamers. Their specialist spinner Gudakesh Motie did not have any success in the second innings but South Africa are banking on the surface starting to break up and taking turn as the match wears on. They included both Maharaj and Simon Harmer in their XI in anticipation of spinner-friendly conditions on the last two days, and they will have a big job on their hands.

Wiaan Mulder, who shared the new ball in the first innings, has been taken for a scan after being hit on the hand while batting on the third day. That leaves South Africa with Rabada and Gerald Coetzee as the two fit seamers for now. An update on Mulder will be provided later in the day.

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