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WI v SA - 3rd Test - Day 1

Saturday, January 3 2004

The word 'comeback' is synonymous with the events of the opening day of the crucial third Test between South Africa and the West Indies. For Rudolph it was a return to form after a long draught which has run almost since his Test debut earlier this year. With growing confidence and distinct style, Rudolph got to his second hundred after his debut double. Feasting on a steady diet of pressure-relieving 'four balls' the left-handed batsman added 142 runs with his right-handed partner, Neil McKenzie. Taking the score from 162/3, neither batsman looked particularly troubled in staying at the crease, let alone scoring runs.

Earlier in play, Gibbs (33) was dropped by debutant Dave Mohammed whilst on 22, but soon fell victim to a ball which shaped away by Sanford. His partner and captain fell 20 runs after in an expected fashion, edging to Lara at slip off an attempted drive - 90/2.

Jacques Kallis came to the crease in imperious form, classing 5 fours in his first 20 runs. When looking certain for another large score, Edwards produced a short ball which, when he missed an attempted hook shot, hit Kallis on the fore arm. The blow was enough to force him to retire hurt a few balls after. X-rays proved that there is no fracture however, and Kallis will be able to resume him effort if and when his captain sees fit.

The replacement at the wicket, Gary Kirsten entered also in a rich flow of form and moved to 16 before a top-edged slash carried down to Sanford at third man to give Edwards his first wicket. Facing up first ball, McKenzie endured a loud shout for LBW, which was turned down on account of an inside edge onto pad. Before his nerves could calm, he edged a Mohammed delivery short of Lara at slip in the next over.

It seemed as though it would be a testing period for McKenzie and Rudolph, both struggling for form and both needing to express a concerted effort for the sake of their team. With a genuine opportunity to get on top, the West Indies bowlers consistently eased whatever pressure they had attempted to build with at least one loose delivery per over.

Rudolph reached his half century facing 102 balls and was followed by McKenzie from 88 balls. Laced with 7 fours and a straight six (McKenzie off Mohammed), the hundred partnership was reached and the West Indians seemed helpless as to where or who the next wicket would come from.

As with the tour to date, it seemed that luck just was not with them as Gayle had a good LBW shout turned down earlier when Rudolph missed a flat, quick ball on the back foot. Rudolph went on to reach his century, facing 196 balls and scoring 13 fours in his attempt. The innings was in for high praise especially considering the harsh spell of form endured by the young man in recent times.

Drained of all life, it took one over to get things back on track. Running in energetically, as always, Edwards delivered a furious over of quick bowling with the old ball (the new ball an over due). In the over he managed to hit Rudolph twice and McKenzie once as well as inject adrenaline into the game once more. This was to kick off a stunning final half an hour of play as South Africa slipped dramatically to allow the tourists back into the game.

Left-arm spinner Mohammed, who impressed many with his willingness to flight the ball on this day, started the slide by trapping danger-man Rudolph in front for a thoroughly deserved 101. The score ticked from 304/3 to 304/4 with South Africa still very much in control. However, despite the clear advantage held by the hosts, captain Graeme Smith made the inexplicably defensive move of send nightwatchman, Paul Adams to the crease ahead of Boucher and Pollock.

As predicted, Adams stood no chance at this stage in the day and he was yorked first up from Edwards, beaten comprehensively for pace - 305/5. Halfway through the next over, the comeback was complete for the day as McKenzie played back to Mohammed to see the ball roll onto his stumps. He made 76 and only really never looked like getting dismissed for almost all of his stay, but alas it was a tired shot which caused his demise and ended his effort to score his first Test hundred in two years.

Boucher and Pollock managed to see off the remaining 9 balls to leave South Africa significantly less dominant at 308/6 when stumps was called. Whilst Drakes was the most consistent of the bowlers he shared no part in the wickets as Sanford, Edwards and Mohammed reaped the rewards. Sanford started the day with a superb spell of 2/16 before lunch, but fell off badly to end with 2/82 at the close.

South Africa are already 2-0 leaders in the 4-Test series, making this a crucial event of survival for the visiting West Indians.

Match Summary:

South Africa 1st innings 308/6 (90 overs)
(JA Rudolph 101, ND McKenzie 76, GC Smith 42)
(FH Edwards 2/69, D Mohammed 2/70, A Sanford 2/82)


Posted by Liam