South Africa were in charge on Friday at the close of play on the third day of the second Test against the West Indies at Newlands in Cape Town. The visitors were in trouble on 96-4, for a slender lead of 18.
The two teams played a game of cat and mouse for most of the afternoon, as each tried to gain the upper hand, but the South Africans took control as they claimed four vital wickets.
Chris Gayle, still struggling with a hamstring injury, opted to rest after fielding at first slip for eight-and-a-half hours, and wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin opened the batting with Daren Ganga. They stayed together for just under two hours for an obdurate stand of 59 before Ramdin got an edge to Jacques Kallis, who has a reputation for breaking partnerships, and was caught behind by Mark Boucher for 32. Six balls later, Dale Steyn had Runako Morton caught behind for one.
Makhaya Ntini struck the next blow for the Proteas when he bowled Ganga, who had batted for more than two-and-three-quarter hours and faced 112 balls for his 22, his only boundary coming off the 87th ball he faced. Andre Nel claimed the important wicket of Marlon Samuels, who was man of the match in the first Test in Port Elizabeth last week, when he had him leg before wicket for 18. At close of play, Shivnarine Chanderpaul was not out on eight and Gayle had one.
South Africa were bowled out 40 minutes after lunch after resuming on 218-5. Ashwell Prince and Boucher shared an innings-saving stand of 129, having come together with South Africa reeling on 131-5. They showed patience and determination, and took South Africa past the West Indies total of 243 before Boucher played on to Dwayne Bravo for 59, for his 27th Test 50. It was Bravo’s fourth wicket of the innings.
Paul Harris (4) and Nel (5) came and went, but Steyn, batting with a runner because of a mild hamstring strain, stuck with his vice-captain, trying to help him reach a well-deserved seventh Test century. However, Prince, who had been the model of patience throughout his innings, ran himself on 98, scrambling for a second run. Deft work in the field saw Prince well short of the mark when the bails were removed.
Steyn and Ntini added a valuable 20 runs to South Africa’s total to give the Proteas a lead of 78 before Rawl Lewis claimed the second wicket of his Test career to dismiss Steyn for 19.
Both sides had their injury problems. Gayle needed treatment for his hamstring injury after his long spell in the field, and pace bowler Fidel Edwards went for tests on Friday morning to determine the extent of his hamstring injury. He will not bowl again in the second Test.
South Africa’s injury list includes Steyn, who sustained a mild hamstring injury on the opening day on Wednesday, and Neil McKenzie, who has a calf-muscle injury. — Sapa