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WI v SA - 2nd Test - Day 1

Saturday, December 27 2003

The day was gloomy in weather, with the ground constantly covered by heavy clouds. However, the cricket proved exactly the opposite. Adam Sanford was given not out to a close LBW shout on what turned out to be the last ball of a thrilling day of cricket.

In his 100th Test match, Brian Lara continued his year-long purple patch as he played assuredly in the face of some terrific bowling conditions and aggressive bowling to rescue the West Indies team from despair. With Lara in his stand of resistance was Ridley Jacobs, as the two equalled the West Indies record for the sixth wicket versus South Africa, by adding 98 (Jacobs and Chanderpaul added 98 for the same wicket in the first Test).

Upon winning the toss in ideal conditions for seam bowlers after a delayed start, Graeme Smith had no hesitation in electing to bowl first. With the first five balls of the game, Pollock looked to be somewhat less than we have become accustomed to, as he didn't make Wavell Hinds play at any of them. Content to leave alone, Wavell Hinds made a late judgement to do the same for the final ball of the same over. This time, however, his decision was too late, getting a thin edge to Boucher and adjudged out before registering a run.

The tourists' troubles were further compounded with the dismissal of Sarwan (4) in Pollock's next over after he smashed the first ball of the over to the boundary - 4/2. The delivery from Pollock had Sarwan for bounce as he edged it off a defensive stroke to a diving Kallis at slip. With this, Lara came to the crease to a resounding ovation, fit for a Prince.

Ganga (6) looked to be dealing with the seam and bounce competently, but then Ntini got him to misjudge the line of a ball angling in to him and he edged it to Pollock, who held a fine catch. Chanderpaul came to the wicket but lasted only six balls before edging a low catch to Hall at third slip. He failed to score and the team score stood at 17/4.

Now it was time for Carlton Baugh Jr. to show if he has what it takes to play Test cricket at this point in his career, let alone to temporarily replace Chris Gayle in the side. From the start it was plainly clear that Baugh was intent on playing shots, getting away with a couple of streaky strokes in compiling 21 from 30 balls before pushing too hard at a good Nel offering and being caught in the slips - 50/5. The pitch still supporting the bowlers nicely, Jacobs and Lara were seemingly all that would stand between the West Indies and a sub-150 score.

With this challenge in mind, the two batsmen batted with impressive aggression to counteract the threat of the seamers. The South African support bowlers seemed to fall flat at this stage after an impressive showing from Pollock, Ntini and Nel. In a rather bewildering series of decisions, Pollock was unused for largely the entire stint of play after his superb opening spell, only returning late in the day for a few more overs.

Anything slightly overpitched Jacobs showed that he was more than willing to dispatch it to the boundary. Lara at the other end was crucially dropped off Ntini by Hall when he had just made 14. Jacobs too was dropped by Boucher in a very difficult chance on 33. The unfortunate bowler here proved to be Andre Nel.

A life gained, Jacobs continued to bat purposefully and positively and overtook Lara with a series of boundaries, bringing up his fifty from 59 balls. Lara followed, but Jacobs was soon out for 58, trapped by LBW Nel - 148/6.

Drakes joined his captain, but soon lost him as a partner to a tremendous delivery from Ntini. The ball, quick and sharply rising, took the glove in an attempt of evasion and flew for a simple catch to Pollock at slip. There seemed little that Lara could do to prevent his dismissal, yet he walked off disappointed for a very well-played 72 - the highest score of the day.

New batsman Dillon (6) didn't last very long before he was bowled by a ball angled in which found its way between bat and pad. Now Adam Sanford settled himself in to bat as long as possible with Drakes. With mostly a defensive outlook and the occasional aggressive stroke (bludgeoned Ntini back overhead for a boundary) Sanford looked very solid after a fairly tentative start. He provided great support for Drakes, who grew quickly in confidence, looking like a top order batsman by the close of play as he moved to 40.

Now the West Indies players find themselves in a far improved position than the earlier 50/5, at 232/8 with play ending early after persistent rain. Day two will start half-an-hour earlier than usual in an attempt to make up for the 25 overs lost on day one.

Match Summary:

West Indies 1st innings 232/8 (65 overs)
(BC Lara 72, RD Jacobs 58, VC Drakes 40 not out)
(M Ntini 4/56, A Nel 2/44, SM Pollock 2/53)

Posted by Liam