On this day in 1998: South Africa register their 1st Test win over WI

Brian Lara-led West Indies toured South Africa for a five-match Test series followed by a seven-match ODI series in the 1998–99 season. This was the first time the Windies collided with the Proteas in the longest format of the sport in South Africa. Biggies such as Curtly Ambrose, Franklyn Rose, and Courtney Walsh among others were part of the Windies squad that toured the land of South Africa.

The first test was played on 26 November at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. As the match began, the Caribbean giants won the toss and elected to bat first. In their first innings, the Windies scored 261 runs on the board for which Gary Kirsten’s 62 off 144 balls helped the side amass 266 in their innings. During the Proteas’ batting innings, Courtney Walsh racked a four-fer with the ball in his 25 overs, giving away only 66 runs. Now, with the Windies back in the third innings were to set a target and make life difficult for the home side.

However, the Proteas were determined to swiftly get vital breakthroughs and managed to sweep them off the field for 170 runs. The Hansie Cronje-led side were set to chase down the total and they rightfully did so as they scored 164 runs for the loss of six wickets, which included an unbeaten knock by Jacques Kallis (57* off 152). Interestingly, Walsh in the fourth innings as well made a lot of impact with the ball picking up three wickets in the 21 overs he bowled.

This marked South Africa’s first win over the West Indies in the Test series on home soil in 1998. Adding to this, the Proteas clinched the series with a whitewash of 5-0, winning all the subsequent four games. The African nation also registered a series win in the ODIs with a score of 6-1 dominating the Windies rightfully.