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Elgar hangs tough for Proteas in Test

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West Indies' Kraigg Brathwaite won the toss and put South Africa into bat in the second Test.
Camera IconWest Indies' Kraigg Brathwaite won the toss and put South Africa into bat in the second Test. Credit: AP

Dean Elgar showed the qualities South Africa recognised in raising him to the captaincy, making 77 to lead the Proteas' fightback against the West Indies on the first day of the second Test.

Elgar's late partnership of 79 with Quinton de Kock, his predecessor as captain, solidified South Africa's recovery from 3-37 in a damp morning session after being sent in to bat.

De Kock followed up his match-defining 141 not out in the first Test with an unbeaten 58 which had South Africa 5-218 when stumps were drawn in bad light, just before the rain returned.

Elgar survived the torrid start to the South African innings when the ball swung and was beaten twice by Kemar Roach in the short period between the delayed start of play and a fleeting rain break.

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His first scoring shot was a boundary and he went on to his first half-century as captain from 147 balls. He was bowled by Kyle Mayers who brought a ball back from outside the left-hander's off stump just before the arrival of the second new ball.

De Kock brought up his 22nd Test half-century from 89 balls in an assertive innings which helped break the early domination of the West Indies fast bowlers.

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Shannon Gabriel (2-47) earlier took two early wickets on his return to the West Indies to put South Africa under pressure.

The veteran fast bowler struck in his first over - the second of the day - and again to break a crucial partnership just before tea to leave the Proteas 4-125 heading to the final session.

The West Indies won the toss and opted to bowl in St Lucia as they look to draw the series after losing the first Test by an innings.

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