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WI v SA - 4th Test - Day 3

Monday, January 19 2004

Newlywed Andre Nel claimed the prized wicket of Brian Lara twice as the West Indies lost 12 wickets on the third day of the fourth Test at Centurion. The South African bowlers got assistance from the conditions as the West Indian batsmen struggled to settle at the wicket.

Daren Ganga (7) was the first man out as he edged Makhaya Ntini to slip where Kallis took a good catch. Coming in at three, Ramnaresh Sarwan didn't last long before he too was dismissed by Ntini, bowled for 12. Once more captain Lara was forced to come out and bat earlier than one would like, with the score at 37/2.

The left-handed partnership of Chris Gayle and Lara prospered with Gayle in shotplaying mood and particularly severe on Andrew Hall. Lara was a bit more watchful and troubled a bit by some great bowling from Jacques Kallis, but he did managed to cut loose at times, no more so than when he effortlessly pulled Andre Nel over midwicket for six.

Just before the luncheon interval however, Nel had the last laugh, getting Lara (34) to edge a delivery to wicketkeeper Boucher. Gayle, who had reached his fifty earlier off 85 balls, soon after played into a keen strategy from Graeme Smith. Receiving a pitched-up delivery from Ntini, Gayle slashed the ball off the back foot to be caught at deep gully for 77.

Dwayne Smith came to the crease as the man of the moment following his brilliant debut century in the third Test. That form eluded him however as he proceeded to drive and miss at delivery after delivery from Shaun Pollock. Eventually Smith connected with a few of his shots, square-driving the ball just short of six and cracking seven more fours and a six in compiling 39. Finally he was out to Kallis in an unsurprising manner, driving at an outswinging Kallis delivery and edging to Boucher.

Jacobs (8) didn't stick around too long and it took good contributions from Vasbert Drakes (35) and Mervyn Dillon (30) to help maintain some measure of pride to the score. This especially after Chanderpaul was dismissed by Nel for 42. When all was said and done the score read 301 all out with Makhaya Ntini finshing with a brilliant 5/49 and Nel with 3/64.

Still 303 runs behind on first innings the West Indies were asked without hesitation to follow on and Ganga and Gayle came to the crease again. Ganga was once more the first out, this time before he could score, bowled by Ntini. More drama followed immediately after as Chris Gayle was struck by a rising delivery in his 'tender area'. The blow sent him down and after recovering briefly it forced him to retire hurt on 14.

Yet again Lara joined the party too early for comfort, 18/1 this time. He and Sarwan batted cautiously but five overs to the close he was adjudged LBW to Nel for 6. When he padded up to the South African seamer it became the fifth time in eight innings this series that Lara fell victim to Nel. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (12 not out) and Sarwan (7 not out) saw the day out with little more incident.

The West Indies will resume tomorrow on 44/2, still trailing by 259 runs on first innings with two more days to play.

Match Summary:

Match Summary:

South Africa 1st innings 604/6 dec. (158 overs)
(HH Gibbs 192, GC Smith 139, JH Kallis 130 not out)
(RR Sarwan 2/55)

West Indies 1st innings 301 ao (82.2 overs)
(CH Gayle 77, S Chanderpaul 42, DR Smith 39, VC Drakes 35)
(M Ntini 5/49, A Nel 3/64)

West Indies 2nd innings 44/2 (16 overs)
(CH Gayle 14 retired hurt, S Chanderpaul 12 not out)
(A Nel 1/12, M Ntini 1/14)

Posted by Liam