South Africa won their 10th consecutive Test series by beating the West Indies in the second Test, boosting their standing in the 2023-25 World Test Championship.

Keshav Maharaj shone as South Africa’s leading spinner, claiming 171 Test wickets after taking five in this match. His performance overshadowed the West Indies’ efforts, particularly Jayden Seales’ strong showing. Despite a strong challenge, Dane Piedt and Wiaan Mulder took key wickets to dismiss the West Indies for 222 in a nail-biting finish.

Here are five lessons from the South Africa-West Indies Test series

5. Tristan Stubbs can be a good number 3

*Tristan Stubbs showed his prowess with the bat*

Tristan Stubbs, known for his aggressive lower-order batting in T20s, took on a new role. He adapted well in both games, demonstrating his ability to handle various conditions. In the first Test, he played a dynamic innings in the second innings, scoring 68 off 50 balls, which gave South Africa a chance to win.

In the second match, Stubbs performed reliably in challenging conditions, contributing 26 and 24 in each innings. The South African team is keen on giving him a long-term opportunity in this format, so his performances are certainly encouraging for them.

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4. Jayden Seales finds his groove

Jayden Seales demonstrated why he’s highly regarded by former players with his exceptional performance in the second Test at Providence Stadium, Guyana. He stood out as the top fast bowler, taking three wickets in the first innings and then impressing further with figures of 6 for 61 in the second innings.

Seales now shares the record for the second best bowling figures by a West Indies player at home against South Africa. Curtly Ambrose leads with 6 for 34 in Bridgetown (1992), and Courtney Walsh also had 6 for 61 in Port of Spain (2001).

Seales is now in elite company, and the team management will be hopeful that he continues to build on this promising performance.

3. Gudakesh Motie coud be a bowling all-rounder

The left-arm spinner demonstrated his skill on the England tour and continued to excel at home. He took three wickets in the second Test and also showed potential with the bat.

When Jayden Seales gave the West Indies a chance to chase the target, Motie, along with Joshua Da Silva, scored 77 runs for the seventh wicket. This partnership helped the West Indies recover from a tough position of 104-6.

Although there is room for improvement in both his bowling and batting, Motie displayed the resilience and composure to make an impact.

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2. Kyle Verreynne establishes himself as a proper wicketkeeper batter

A proper middle-order batter — *Proper middle-order batter*

Kyle Verreynne has proven himself as a reliable wicketkeeper-batsman for South Africa. Despite a series dominated by bowlers, Verreynne was tidy behind the stumps and consistently contributed runs lower down the order.

In the second Test, South Africa’s openers gave a strong start with a 79-run partnership. However, the middle order faltered, making it crucial for Aiden Markram and Kyle Verreynne to score half-centuries. Their efforts, along with a crucial unbeaten 84-run partnership between Verreynne and Wiaan Mulder, put South Africa ahead.

Verreynne, a classic Test player with a First-Class average of 48, has shown he can perform under pressure. This series is likely to benefit his career and establish him as a key wicketkeeper-batsman for South Africa.

1. Keshav Maharaj takes off

Keshav Maharaj had a record-breaking series. — *Keshav Maharaj had a record-breaking series*

Keshav Maharaj set a new record in this series, becoming the top wicket-taking spinner in Test history. He was also named Player of the Series for his impressive performance, taking 13 wickets at an average of 16.

In the second match, Maharaj’s six-wicket haul helped the Proteas secure a hard-fought 40-run victory. He finished the match with a wicket off his last ball. Maharaj had already contributed with a couple of wickets in the first innings, accelerating the West Indies’ collapse. By surpassing Hugh Tayfield’s record of 170 wickets, he has now become South Africa’s leading wicket-taking spinner.

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