May 29, 2005. That was the last time the West Indies cricket team celebrated a Test victory. 2 years and 7 months later they get to do so again. Finally, at long last, the Windies have won! In clobbering South Africa by 128 runs, the Windies have also notched their first ever Test victory in South Africa and their first Test win away from home since beating Zimbabwe in November 2003 as well as their first away Test victory against meaningful opposition (sorry Bangladesh and Zimbabwe) since beating England in June 2000. This was also the first ever Test victory for Dwayne Bravo (in his 24th match), Denesh Ramdin, Runako Morton and Darren Sammy.
Resuming overnight on 146/8 the Windies added a further 29, thanks in large part to Jerome Taylor's 22, setting South Africa 389 for victory. South Africa were under the gun immediately on their reply as opening bowlers Daren Powell and Fidel Edwards charged in and sliced through the Proteas' top order, reducing them to 45-4. Powell got Herschelle Gibbs for a pair.
Jacques Kallis (85) offered strong resistance and he and AB deVilliers (60) went about restoring the innings. However when the excellent Edwards had Kallis caught behind at 157/5 the writing was on the wall. To be fair, the ball missed Kallis' bat and came off his shoulder when he tried to hook, but that's cricket for you.
South Africa were further reduced to 192/8 when Taylor had deVilliers caught at mid-on. Only career bests from Andre Nel (34) and Dale Steyn (33n.o.) who put on 67 for the 9th wicket, spared South Africa from an even bigger defeat. It was all over when Ntini was caught off Marlon Samuels' bowling and the celebrations had begun. It was fitting that Samuels took the last wicket as he was named Man-of-the-Match for his 94 and 40.
The Windies will now have to look beyond the exuberance of this historic moment and focus on the next Test beginning on January 2 in Cape Town as they will look to clinch the three match series. (Did I really just write that?)
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