PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago (AFP) — Half-centuries by captain Temba Bavuma and opener Tony de Zorzi anchored a resolute batting effort by South Africa in extending their first innings to 344 for eight at the close of the second day of the rain-affected first Test of a two-match series against the West Indies in Trinidad on Thursday.

Starting the day at 45 for one after heavy showers allowed only 15 overs to be bowled on the first day, Bavuma’s determined 86 and a more enterprising 78 from de Zorzi were linchpins in the Proteas’ effort on a benign surface offering little for the bowlers but also made free scoring difficult because of its two-paced nature.

Jomel Warrican was the most successful of the West Indies bowlers, the left-arm orthodox spinner claiming three for 66.

It included two off successive balls in the last half-hour to boost his team’s chances of dismissing their opponents short of the 400-run mark.

“I tried to keep things as tight as possible today because this a very flat pitch and it was necessary to be very disciplined,” said Warrican.

“I would have liked to be a bit more economical but at least I was able to get a few wickets.

“This pitch is quite easy to bat on so for us to get seven wickets today was an outstanding job, given the heat as well,” he added.

Veteran seamer Kemar Roach, making a return to the team after missing the tour of England with a knee injury, and fellow opening bowler Jayden Seales took two wickets each.