West Indian batsman Alick Athanaze narrowly missed his maiden Test century but still helped secure a draw in the first Test against South Africa at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain.

South Africa set the West Indies a victory target of 298 after declaring their second innings over before lunch on the final day in an attempt to bowl out their hosts and win the first of the two Test matches.

But 25-year-old Athanaze scored 92 in his eighth Test and the West Indies proved more resilient than in the first innings to level the contest.

They were 5-201 when the rain-affected match was abandoned with 20 minutes to play and six overs to go.

South Africa scored quickly at the start of the final day’s play, having come back into the game with a lead of 154 runs (0-30), to set an impressive target while also buying themselves enough time to bowl out the Windies in the second innings.

Tristan Stubbs scored his first Test half-century with 68 from 50 balls, using all the skills he had acquired as a Twenty20 player.

Tony de Zorzi added 45 and Aiden Markram 38 before South Africa resigned at 3-173 about 20 minutes before lunch.

The home team lost their last six wickets in the first innings on Saturday for 60 runs and there were fears that a similar collapse was imminent when captain Kraigg Brathwaite was dismissed three balls into the second innings.

Spinner Keshav Maharaj opened the bowling and Braithwaite attempted to hit a six off his third ball, hit it high and was caught by Stubbs at extra cover.

The Windies fell to 2-18 when Mikyle Louis hit a nine that was caught off the pace of Kagiso Rabada before Maharaj took the wickets of debutants Keacy Carty (31) and Kavem Hodge (29).

South Africa needed six more wickets in the final session, but Athanaze held on with a 65-run partnership at the fifth wicket along with former captain Jason Holder.

“We tried our best to get a result in our favour. But the wicket did not come loose as often as we expected. Ultimately, it was a good, competitive game of cricket,” said South Africa captain Temba Bavuma.

Holder was 31 not out and Joshua da Silva was two when time expired. Maharaj took 4-88 in the match for a total of eight wickets.

The second Test begins on Thursday at Providence Stadium in Georgetown, Guyana.