A century partnership between Marlon Samuels and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, and a whirlwind 66 by Chris Gayle, put the West Indies in a commanding position on 281 for four at the end of the first day of the first Test against South Africa at St George’s Park on Wednesday.
When the West Indies arrived in South Africa earlier this month, captain Chris Gayle promised that his team, ranked eighth in the world, would be competitive in the Test series against South Africa — and the visitors lived up to that promise on Wednesday.
Graeme Smith, who is leading South Africa for the 50th time in a Test match, won the toss and chose to field, obviously backing his bowlers to dismiss the team that lost heavily against South Africa A in East London last week.
However, Gayle had other ideas, and he and his opening partner, Daren Ganga, put on 98 runs for the first wicket, their 50 partnership coming up off 65 balls. They put the South African fast-bowlers to the sword, with Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini coming in for particular punishment.
Gayle’s 50 — his 28th in Test cricket and third again South Africa — came up off 42 balls, and included 10 boundaries.
Andre Nel got the breakthrough South Africa so desperately needed when Ganga was caught behind by Mark Boucher for 33. Smith then introduced Paul Harris and his gamble worked immediately. Gayle hit Harris for four off the first delivery, but then edged the second to Jacques Kallis in the slips for 66. He faced 49 balls and hit 13 boundaries.
The West Indies went to lunch on 130 for two, but more disciplined bowling from South Africa saw the run rate slow down. Only 60 runs were scored in the afternoon session for the loss of Morton’s wicket. He was caught in the gully by Ashwell Prince for 33. He and Samuels put on 64 runs together.
Samuels then shared a fourth-wicket stand of 111 with Shivnarine Chanderpaul. He gained in confidence as the runs started piling up, at one stage hitting three fours in two successive overs. Some of his shots were breathtaking, as the South Africans chased leather in all directions.
However, Dale Steyn, who had a miserable day, conceding 82 runs off 20 overs, finally got the breakthrough with the fifth delivery with the new ball when Samuels was caught by Kallis six runs short of what would have been his second Test century.
At close of play, Chanderpaul was not out on 43 and Dwayne Bravo had yet to score. — Sapa