Proteas take positives from rain-interrupted first Test draw against West Indies

Bavuma's charges were left frustrated after the Windies fought hard for the stalemate on the final day, closing the match on 201-5 after batting out 56 overs.

The Proteas had earlier declared their second innings just before the lunch break on day five on 173-3 to give themselves an outside chance to force a result in a Test where seven sessions were lost.

The South African skipper said after the game: "We would have wanted more time, because losing seven sessions is always going to be tough.

"We tried out best to really make most of what was in front of us, but at the end of the day the elements, the weather, got the best of what could have been a really good competitive game of cricket."

Tristan Stubbs struck his maiden half-century in the longest format in the second innings, going on the offensive to score 68 off just 50 balls to allow Bavuma to declare and make a game of it.

Bavuma himself top-scored with 86 in the first innings total of 357 while opener Tony de Zorzi hit 78 and 45 in his maiden stint at the top of the order.

The captain said: "From a batting point of view, how went about our business in the second innings, the fact we came out with good positive intent, and tried to buy ourselves as much time by taking on the game, was good.

"The way Stubbs went about his batting, getting 50, was exciting, especially having not scored in the first innings. He was confident enough to express himself and that speaks about his character, and he'll build on that.

"Tony also added to the runs he got in the first innings. There were a lot of positives in general (to take out of the match), considering we hadn't played in a while, so it can only get better from here."

The second and final Test of the series starts on Thursday in Providence, Guyana.

READ MORE: Rain thwarts Proteas' victory hopes as first Test against West Indies ends in draw