South Africa got off to a flying start and reached 114 without loss at lunch on the opening day of the fourth and final Test against the West Indies in St John’s on Friday.
When light drizzle prompted lunch 15 minutes early, skipper Graeme Smith was not out on 47 and AB de Villiers was unbeaten on 63 as the tourists, with the series already wrapped up, set their sights on a third Test win in a row.
Choosing to bat on the hard and notoriously easy-paced Antigua Recreation Ground pitch, the South Africans were blessed with a sound opening partnership from Smith and De Villiers.
The two batsmen had things their way and played some crisp strokes in all directions, including the third over of the morning in which de Villiers hit three boundaries off fast-bowler Daren Powell.
West Indies did have a few half-chances to make the breakthrough.
Smith, on one, survived a close run out chance when Wavell Hinds missed an under-arm throw from cover.
The South Africa captain was looking for a single off Tino Best in the second over and De Villiers sent him back.
Twice, Smith also came close to giving his hand away to catches to the gully, when he cut balls close to the fielders.
At the interval, Smith, however, would have felt justified at his decision to bat.
All-rounder Shaun Pollock, who is the leading South African bowler in Tests with 377 wickets in 93 matches, returned to the South Africa side for the first time since March.
He replaced fellow fast-bowler Andre Nel, who flared up an old lower-back injury during practice on Thursday.
The West Indies made three changes with Narsingh Deonarine, Dwight Washington and Best coming in for Ryan Hinds, Reon King and Fidel Edwards.
Washington is making his debut for West Indies.
South Africa lead the four-Test series 2-0, after winning the second Test at Port of Spain by eight wickets, and the third Test at Bridgetown by an innings and 86 runs.
The first Test at Georgetown ended in a draw. — Sapa-AFP