PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – SOUTH AFRICA continued their triumphant tour of the West Indies yesterday (June13) by completing a 163-run victory over the hosts on the fourth day of the first Test match.
West Indies were behind from the start after having crashed out for 102/all out in their first innings in reply to South Africa’s 352.
The visitors then took the conservative route and batted their way to 206/4 in their second innings before declaring and leaving West Indies a seemingly impossible chase of 456. South Africa’s batting was boosted by Captain Graeme Smith’s 90 from 173 balls, which was enough to offset the damage done by a three-wicket haul from Sulieman Benn in that innings.
There were moments of hope in the home side’s reply yesterday, mostly in the form of Captain Chris Gayle, but the needed run rate slipped away quickly after his fall.
Gayle managed to strike 73 from only 106 balls in his opening partnerships, particularly with Shivnarine Chanderpaul, but when he was caught lbw on a full delivery from Morne Morkel the chase limped along to its inevitable conclusion.
Other bright spots included 49 from Dwayne Bravo and a rapid fire 42 from 55 balls by Benn, but the remainder of the side struggled to deal with pacers Dale Steyn and Morkel. The bowling duo picked up five wickets and was critical in restricting West Indies to a second innings total of just 293.
“We batted poorly in the first innings and that actually cost us the game very quickly,” Gayle told the Trinidad and Tobago Express following the defeat.
Though some of the top West Indies players who have been out with injury are said to be recovering, Gayle indicated that the side would likely stick with the same men for the second Test.
Both teams will arrive in St. Kitts this week for the second Test match, which will be held at Warner Park from June 18-22. Following that match, the teams will play their third and final Test of the series in Barbados from June 26-30.
