Windies in tough batttle
published:
Friday | January 4, 2008
West Indies paceman Jerome Taylor (centre) celebrates after taking the wicket of South Africa's captain, Graeme Smith, during the second day of the second Test in Cape Town, yesterday. - AP
CAPE TOWN, South Africa
(AP):
ASHWELL PRINCE scored an undefeated 55 yesterday to lead South Africa to 218 for five at stumps in the second Test, only 25 runs behind the West Indies' first innings total.
South Africa needed just 15 minutes after play resumed on the second day to dismiss the visitors for 243 at the Newlands Stadium.
In reply, South Africa struggled at 131 for five before Prince shared an unbroken 87-run partnership with Mark Boucher, who was on 35 at the close.
Bravo's attack
West Indies medium-pace bowler Dwayne Bravo wrecked South Africa's middle-order, bowling unchanged for 24 overs to take 3-46.
His stint included 15 overs between lunch and tea, during which he took the prize wicket of Jacques Kallis, caught behind by Denesh Ramdin for 36.
In his next over, Bravo trapped Hashim Amla leg before wicket for 32. Immediately after tea, Bravo added the wicket of A.B. de Villiers, also caught by Ramdin, for two runs.
Prince and Boucher steadied the innings and put South Africa in a position to take a first-innings lead when play resumes today.
Prince faced 139 balls and Boucher had 96 deliveries.
South Africa had reached 52 for one at lunch, with Neil McKenzie - who replaced Herschelle Gibbs to open with captain Graeme Smith - the only wicket to fall in the morning session.
The pair put on 46 before McKenzie was out for 23 when he edged a delivery from Jerome Taylor to West Indies captain Chris Gayle at first slip.
Smith, who never looked comfortable, was out soon after lunch - caught by Ramdin for 28.
Kallis set about rebuilding the innings with Amla, and the pair put on 59 for the third wicket before Kallis fell to Bravo.
South Africa battled to 125 for four at tea, at which point Prince had yet to score.
Bravo was supported by a good spell from Taylor, who took 2-45 in 18 overs.
The West Indies bowling attack was weakened when Edwards left the field with a hamstring problem after the fifth ball of his fifth over.
Best bowlers
Earlier yesterday, Andre Nel finished off the West Indies tail.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul was undefeated on 65, while Daren Powell was caught by Kallis for a duck, and Fidel Edwards made two before being caught by de Villiers.
Dale Steyn was the best of the South African bowlers with 4-60. Nel finished with 3-61.
The West Indies lead the series 1-0 after winning the first Test by 128 runs. The third and final Test starts on January 10 in Durban.
