Skipper Kraigg Brathwaite: Rain stopped West Indies victory vs South Africa

West Indies Test skipper Kraigg Brathwaite had faith his batsmen would have pulled off a win in the first Test against South Africa on August 11, had the rain not stalled their chase at the Queen’s Park Oval in St Clair.

After two lengthy rain delays on the final day, the match ended in a draw, courtesy a brazen batting display from Dominican left-hander Alick Athanaze (92), who fell eight runs short of his maiden Test century.

This was after the Proteas declared on 173/3 in their second innings during the first session, and set West Indies a target of 298 for victory from the remaining three sessions.

However, rain interrupted play just before lunch, and the match resumed almost two hours later, stifling a potential maroon victory. Altogether, 142 overs were lost over the five days, since there were also rain delays on previous match days.

Athanaze put up the most resistance, batted smartly and was the centre of three crucial partnerships which kept the hosts ticking upward to their target. Owing to the delays, time ran out with the Windies on 201/5, falling short by 97 runs.

When asked if he thought the rain had saved them from a loss, Brathwaite disagreed.

“I wouldn’t say we would have escaped (losing): we had 100 runs to win and were fully confident we would have made it if the rain didn’t fall, albeit the game would have been a little different. We were fully confident we could have gotten the runs and we showed it,” he said.

On Athanaze’s aggression with the bat, the captain was pleased the 25-year old stayed true to the team's plan.

“It was surely planned. It’s quite easy to think (we would) come and defend and bat out the day. From me to the boys, was to trust the plan and fully back it, whatever it is. Alick showed it from his approach and tried to sweep the ball. He’s a good sweeper and for him to go and do it, I thought that was good.”

Brathwaite lauded Athanaze’s innings and believes despite not being able to secure his maiden Test century, it’s all part of the process.

“The more cricket we play, the better. Playing a Test match, it is intense cricket and the more we do it and the more guys continue to see growth from watching, if you can see that, that’s what’s important.

“If we continue to do that, that’s what’s important. Once we continue to do that as a group, improving, that’s how we get better. "And the more cricket we play, against different opposition, that’s how we will improve as a team and the batters as well.”

Brathwaite, however, was not his usual self on the final day, as he was caught by Tristan Stubbs off Keshav Maharaj’s spin after facing the third delivery of the second innings.

On his shot selection, he called it “poor execution.”

Meanwhile, Athanaze was pleased to play an important role in helping his team snatch a well-deserved draw. While he was a bit disappointed to miss out on his first century, the Dominican was satisfied to play a solidifying role among the batters.

“The result of the match is more important than getting the hundred. I would have loved to get the hundred and I am really hungry for it. It’s unfortunate that I didn’t get it. But at least I’m getting closer,” Athanaze said.

Getting runs on the board is always a confidence booster for a batsman, he added, and hopes he can replicate or better his form when the second Test bowls off at Providence Stadium in Guyana from August 15-19.