Hinds and Chanders double up

Wavell Hinds and Shivnarine Chanderpaul scored double hundreds and the West Indies lost just 2 wickets on the second day of the first Test against South Africa. The hosts declared the innings closed at 543/5 and South Africa faced just 1 ball for 2 runs at stumps.

Debuting as captain, Chanderpaul was left unbeaten on his maiden Test match double hundred, batting brilliantly if not resolutely for 203 not out. The innings contained 23 fours and lasted 370 balls.

At the start of the day though, the glory was all upon Wavell Hinds. Resuming on 188, the Jamaican scored his maiden Test double and progressed to 213, before being dismissed by Langeveldt. Hinds fell to a clear plan, driving at a wide delivery and was caught low down by Boucher behind the stumps.

In his time at the wicket Wavell Hinds faced 297 balls, and featured 34 fours and 2 sixes.

The score was 390/4 at his dismissal, but Ryan Hinds partnered his skipper to ensure that no collapse materialized. Starting somewhat with uncertainty, Ryan Hinds grew in stature with time in the middle. He applauded Chanderpaul on first attaining his new Test high score and then passing 150 for the first time in his Test career.

All the while Hinds played the solid supporting role in a period of slow going for the West Indies, against a markedly improved South African attack. Andre Nel continued to be the most consistent bowler for the Africans, but all the options managed to lift themselves.

Having bowled just 7 overs on the first day, Nicky Boje clocked in for 22.1 on day two and was responsible for the downfall of Ryan Hinds, who was caught by Kallis 2 short of his half-century. The wicket broke a partnership of 116 runs for the fifth wicket, following on from the Wavell Hinds-Chanderpaul mark of 284 for the fourth.

On debut, Narsingh Deonarine struggled at first against the aggression of Nel, but fought through to be unbeaten on 15 when he witnessed Chanderpaul’s milestone. Immediately upon scoring his double hundred, the declaration was called.

The intention was clearly to get some overs at the visitors late in the day, but bad light ensured that said plan backfired entirely.

Play started an hour late and the South African over rate continued to be sufficiently poor that a total of 71.3 overs were bowled on the day. Of the 180 scheduled overs for the first two days, only 152.3 have been bowled.

Score Summary:

West Indies 1st innings 543/5 dec. (152.1 overs)
WW Hinds 213, S Chanderpaul 203 not out, RO Hinds 48
A Nel 3/93, CK Langeveldt 1/65, N Boje 1/106

South Africa 1st innings 2/0 (0.1 overs)
GC Smith 1 not out