South Africa grabs 154-run lead against West Indies after rain washes out most of Day 4

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) — South Africa put itself in position to play for a win after grabbing a 154-run lead in the first test against West Indies after a shortened fourth day but will need some help from the weather to avoid a draw.

After rain washed out the first six hours of play Saturday, South Africa bowled out the hosts for 233 to grab a first-innings lead of 124 and then added 30 runs before stumps.

West Indies resumed on 145-4 but gave up the last six wickets for just 60 runs to give the tourists hope of pushing for a victory — if the rain stays away on the final day. That included a run of four wickets for 19 runs as Jason Holder, Joshua Da Silva, Kavem Hodge and Gudakesh Motie all fell in quick succession to put West Indies on 192-8.

Keshav Maharaj added his fourth wicket by having Da Silva out for 1, caught by Tony de Zorzi.

De Zorzi was unbeaten on 14 with Aiden Markram on 9 when stumps was called.

Rain has affected every day of the first test, with only 15 overs bowled on the first day.

West Indies went into the series after losing 3-0 in England, with two of those tests ending within three days.

The two-test series will be followed by three T20 games.

___

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Click here to read article