The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : West Indies bowlers strike back

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Sunday, May 01, 2005

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West Indies bowlers strike back

ST. JOHN'S: South Africa was 295 for four in 76.3 overs at lunch on the second day of the fourth Test at the Recreation Ground on Saturday.

South Africa lost the wicket of captain Graeme Smith, who hit his third consecutive century in Tests, for 126. His partner, A.B. de Villiers, made 114 to register his second straight century.

de Villiers hit 13 fours and a six in his 114 and faced 173 balls. Boeta Dippennar and Herschelle Gibbs were the other batsmen out. Dippenaar was run out for five and Gibbs was caught by Deonarine off Chris Gayle.

South Africa finished the first day at 214 for no loss with Smith and de Villiers remaining unbeaten on 106 and 103 respectively.

Wavell Hinds could have given the West Indies a lift in the day's second over, but his underarm return from cover missed with Smith a foot short of his ground after a mix-up with de Villiers.

It was the last realistic opportunity during the first day's morning session as de Villiers brought up his half-century off 51 balls just before South Africa reached lunch at 114 without loss.

Persistent afternoon rain reduced the second session to just 3.1 overs but Smith used the short stint in the middle to pass his 50 off 79 deliveries.

Smith could have lost his wicket had he been run out the ball before the third rain interval delayed play for nearly three hours.

Another mix-up with his partner supplied Brian Lara with the chance, but his return to the bowler's end was dropped by Narsingh Deonarine with the batsman well short of his crease.

Last chance

That was last chance for the West Indies, as the South African domination continued in the final session once the rain stopped.

Smith, achieved his century with his 16th boundary, a straight on-drive off Chris Gayle's off-spin, off 141 balls.

It was his fifth century in eight matches against the West Indies, and followed scores of 148 in the second Test in Trinidad and 104 last week in Barbados.

De Villiers followed by passing three figures two overs later, off 140 deliveries. He had registered a career-best 178 in Barbados.

Soon afterward, heavy rain stalled the South Africans' progress and brought relief to the home team. — AP

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