The West Indies won the first Test against South Africa by an innings and 63 runs in St. Lucia, thanks to a dominant performance by their bowlers. On the third day, West Indies spinner Rahkeem Cornwall took five wickets, while Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales took two each, helping to bowl South Africa out for just 97 in their second innings. Earlier in the match, West Indies opener Kraigg Brathwaite scored a century, helping his team to post 308 in their first innings. In response, South Africa were bowled out for just 97 in their first innings, with Roach taking four wickets and Seales taking three. The West Indies then enforced the follow-on, with South Africa still trailing by 211 runs, and their bowlers once again proved too much for the visitors.
The win is a significant one for the West Indies, who have been struggling in Test cricket in recent years. It is also the first time that they have won a Test match at home since 2019. For South Africa, it is a disappointing start to their tour of the Caribbean, which includes two Tests and five T20s. The visitors will be hoping to bounce back in the second Test, which starts on March 3 in Antigua.
The match was also notable for the fact that it was played without any spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the first time that a Test match has been played in front of an empty stadium in the Caribbean.
Overall, the West Indies put in a dominant performance, with both their batsmen and bowlers stepping up when it mattered. Their victory is a positive sign for the team, who have been struggling in Test cricket in recent years, and will give them a boost of confidence heading into the second Test. For South Africa, it is a disappointing start to their tour, but they will be hoping to regroup and come back stronger in the next match. The empty stadium added an eerie atmosphere to the game, but both teams will be hoping that fans will be allowed back in for the remainder of the tour.
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