South Africa chasing away series win, West Indies seeking to make amends

– Bravo, Gabriel recalled to 13

Fully vaccinated fans in St Lucia will be hoping to smile about the West Indies performances when the second and final Test match bowls off today (Friday June 18) from 10:00h at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground.
South Africa will be looking to win an away Test series for the first time in more than four years while West Indies will be hoping to level the series with a comeback win. After suffering a huge defeat, the West Indies batting will have to click against the potent South African pacers.

On the eve of the match, West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite said the first innings in the opening Test really hurt the West Indies and them on the back-foot, but come in this second Test, the batsmen must be better. “We know as batters what we have to do and we look forward for the challenge,” Brathwaite said in on pre-match virtual press conference on Thursday.
“The first game is behind us and the guys are looking forward for the last game.” While many, including the Head curator Ken Crafon were in shock, after the West Indies won the toss and batted first, Kraigg will have to make a decision that will bring the right results for the West Indies.
He also noted that the batsmen must leave the balls well, make right judgements and score runs while sticking to the plans. While indicating that the West Indies have learned from their mistakes, Brathwaite emphasized that West Indies must keep backing their plans.
Speaking on the inclusion of Darren Bravo and Shannon Gabriel, West Indies Lead selector Roger Harper, said: “Gabriel has been declared fully fit and as someone who was the spearhead of the attack before, he has returned to the 13-man squad. With Bravo, we have someone who is an experienced batsman and gives us a quality batting option.”

On the upcoming match, Harper added: “the team now has to play to the standard we know we’re capable of. We did not bat anywhere near to our potential in the first Betway Test and we have to improve with the bat in this upcoming match.”
West Indies squad reads: Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain), Jermaine Blackwood (Vice Captain), Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Kyle Mayers, Kieran Powell, Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales
Meanwhile, South Africa captain Dean Elgar said his team will be looking to replicate a similar performance of that in the opening Test.
“Clinical, ruthless, our bowlers led the pack and our senior players put their hands up. One Test win has done so much for us already. We need Test wins and we need series wins. I want a Test win and to seal the series 2-0,” Elgar said. (Brandon Corlette)