***Official*** South Africa v West Indies

[marc71178]

As for South Africa, how long should they bat for? IMO if Smith is interested in winning this Test (which he should) he should declare overnight, 525 is enough, Pollock and co have had plenty of rest and are rearing to go against Gayle and Hinds who have been out there for two days of cricket. But if he is looking for 600, then I think he should give the licenice to Kallis and Prince to go for it in the first hour, if they don't get it, too bad and call them in.

Would they be able to go for it though?

Kallis doesn't ever seem to up the rate.

 

[marc71178]

Actually, is that a first? 4 centuries in the same test innings. I vaguely recall Oz coming close against us in the 90s (IIRC Junior Waugh fell for 99), but I don't know if it has been done since then.

I'm sure 4 must have happened before - but can't be bothered to search.

 

[shaka]

I think NZ did it when Parore and co did get centuries, it was around 4 centuries

 

[shaka]

http://www.cricketarchive.com/NewZealand/BlackCaps/Scorecards/f/45/f45723.html

 

[BoyBrumby]

http://www.cricketarchive.com/NewZealand/BlackCaps/Scorecards/f/45/f45723.html

Ah, fair call. Good knowledge!

 

[Macka]

New Zealand have done more recently as well. Against India, Richardson, Vincent, Styris, and McMillan all scored centuries in the same innings.

 

[deeps]

Batsmen: R B 4s 6s S/R
JH Kallis 127 256 12 1 49.61 Striker
AG Prince114 230 12 1 49.57 Non-striker

remarkably similar stats there for the two batsman!

 

[BoyBrumby]

Huzzah! Kallis finally goes.

Still no declaration tho, how many is enough?!

 

[honestbharani]

Maybe they want 650 and settle for a 2-0 series win?

 

[Adamc]

Maybe they want 650 and settle for a 2-0 series win?

Umm... why not 550 and settle for a 2-0 series win then? It's not as though WI are going to be able to win from here, even if Lara scores 401* or so.

 

[BoyBrumby]

You could be right. 581-6 now. Bit of an acceleration now surely with Pollock & Boucher there?!?

 

[BoyBrumby]

Well that's the lot.

588-6 declared. Strange time to call it quits, but what do I know?

 

[Adamc]

Smith declares at 588-6. That little partnership between Pollock and Boucher was a bit of a waste of time really. I guess he didn't want to give WI even the slightest bit of momentum going into their innings (having taken the wickets of Kallis and Prince in quick succession).

 

[BoyBrumby]

14-1. Hinds c and b Ntini. Good one-handed return catch, but a nothing sort of a shot.

 

[Pratters]

Actually, is that a first? 4 centuries in the same test innings. I vaguely recall Oz coming close against us in the 90s (IIRC Junior Waugh fell for 99), but I don't know if it has been done since then.

The record is 5 centuries in an inning by Australia. Only once has it ever been done.

 

[Adamc]

Gayle obviously playing for a win here. At this rate he'll have 350-400 by the close of play.

 

[Pratters]

Very much wrong declaration and wrong strategy by South Africa

Should have looked to make 750 before declaring. Also, they should have played a bit more aggresively right from the beginning if they looked to declare an hour before lunch.

 

[Adamc]

Gayle is a crazy fellow. 61* off 37, 52 of those in boundaries, reminiscent of his 79-ball effort in South Africa last year. Pollock 5-0-35-0... how often does that happen?

 

[Pratters]

The pitch has nothng in it. Smith should surely have kept more catchers.. two edges which could have been catches in total.

Poor captaincy by Smith but whats new regarding it!

 

[vic_orthdox]

Very much wrong declaration and wrong strategy by South Africa

Should have looked to make 750 before declaring. Also, they should have played a bit more aggresively right from the beginning if they looked to declare an hour before lunch.

I think we all saw what declaring at such a high total achieves at the SCG in 2003/04 in Steve Waugh's last test?? Especially on such a flat pitch.

And yes, I do understand that they've already won the series. But whats wrong with going for another win??