South Africa, with the series already wrapped up, will look to pile on more misery for the West Indies in the fourth and final Test starting in St John’s on Friday.
South Africa closed out the series with an innings and 86-run triumph in the third Test at Bridgetown to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the series, and reclaim the Sir Vivian Richards Trophy.
The first Test at Georgetown ended in a draw, and South Africa won the second Test at Port of Spain by eight wickets.
Looking at the way the South Africans have risen to the challenge in the previous two Tests, they may be forgiven if they relax for this Test, but Proteas captain Graeme Smith is adamant that his side will be focused on winning the final Test.
”One thing we learnt from the eight or nine months of tough times is that we cannot afford to take a Test match win, Test match form or personal form for granted, so we will be looking to perform well out there every single day of the match,” he said.
”Some people may look back at our victories in Trinidad and in Barbados, and may consider them easy, but there were far from being easy wins. We have worked very hard for our two victories under some trying conditions.
”There are times when a team can produce some good performances that are very satisfying, but we have to move on and keep moving forward, and make sure that we keep improving as a team.
”We should never be satisfied with our position, and we should look to take our game up a level or two each time.”
For South Africa, they have only one selection question ahead of the Test, and the answer seems rhetorical.
Veteran all-rounder Shaun Pollock seems likely to be the only change, and could take the place of fellow fast-bowler Monde Zondeki.
Windies’ reputation plummets
Following the huge defeat in the previous Test, the reputation of the West Indies in international cricket continues to plummet, and it has left people around the Caribbean clamouring for changes not only in the team, but in the administration of the game.
Australia-born coach Bennett King is well aware that the honeymoon period is swiftly drawing to a close, and the need for better results is urgent.
”People have noticed an improvement in the way the players have been approaching the cricket on the field, but it has not turned into results just yet,” King said.
”Coming into this role, I was not expecting to all of a sudden see West Indies become the number-one side in the world. Things take time. It cannot be fixed in a matter of months, but over a period of time.
”What the period of time is, I do not know, but if they are not improving from match to match, then I’ll start asking myself questions about if I am doing the job I am supposed to be doing.
”While the players are still in the process of improving, and they are giving me that feedback, I’ll continue going down the same path for the time being.”
For the West Indies, two changes are on the cards.
Fast-bowler Tino Best should come in for his first match of the series and international fixture since last August to replace Reon King, and Narsingh Deonarine should take the place of fellow left-hander Ryan Hinds after missing out in the past two Tests.
The Antigua Recreation Ground is notorious for its docile nature, but reports indicate that former West Indies fast-bowler Andy Roberts and head groundsman Keith Frederick are trying to breathe some life into it for the Test.
South Africa won the only Test the two teams have contested in St John’s four years ago by 82 runs, but the West Indies have had some strong performances at the ground since then.
They include the highest fourth-innings winning total in a Test against world champions Australia, and Brian Lara’s epic quadruple century in a mammoth first-innings total against England last year. — Sapa-AFP
Teams
West Indies (from): Shivnarine Chanderpaul (captain), Courtney Browne (vice-captain), Tino Best, Dwayne Bravo, Narsingh Deonarine, Fidel Edwards, Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Brian Lara, Daren Powell, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Dwight Washington.
South Africa (from): Graeme Smith (captain), Nicky Boje (vice-captain), Mark Boucher, Abraham de Villiers, Boeta Dippenaar, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis, Charl Langeveldt, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Shaun Pollock, Ashwell Prince, Jacques Rudolph, Monde Zondeki.