BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – NUMBER four batsman for the West Indies Shivnarine Chanderpaul will pick up from his unbeaten 151 this morning (June 21) at Warner Park, as he continues the home side’s chase of South Africa’s first innings 543 in the second Test of the Digicel Home Series.
West Indies have struggled throughout the series to make a statement with the bat and have lost the previous eight matches against South Africa during their tour of the Caribbean, including two Twenty20 matches, five One Day Internationals and a Test in Trinidad.
When South Africa confidently stroked 543/6 on the first two days before declaring their first innings, the prospect of West Indies recording a ninth defeat seemed imminent.
However, the batting surface continued to give up runs in abundance on the third day of the Test. Captain Chris Gayle set the tone for the side at the end of the second day with a half century from 84 balls. He found significant support from a patient Narsingh Deonarine, who was moved up to the number three position for this Test and totaled 65 from 131 balls before being dismissed early yesterday on a full delivery to the off stump by Dale Steyn.
Deonarine’s return to the bench brought on Brendan Nash to partner with Chanderpaul and the duo played some of the most patient cricket the side has seen in months.
Whereas South Africa’s Steyn and Morne Morkel proved indomitable with the ball in the Trinidad Test, Nash and Chanderpaul wore them down and continually found the gaps.
Steyn and Morkel developed a line outside the off stump, but the West Indian batsmen grew in confidence as the innings progressed and were not afraid to reach when necessary.
Though Nash reached his second ever Test century just after Chanderpaul claimed his, he was sent packing at the end of the 96th over when he was run out by a quick throw from AB de Villers on a ball that Nash seemed to believe would have bounced over his head.
He ended his stand at 114 runs from 148 balls, with 14 fours and one six.
Chanderpaul meanwhile held on to finish the day partnered with Dwayne Bravo after having reached 151 from 264 balls, with 10 fours and one six.
Play resumed this morning at Warner Park at 10 a.m. Though the match is likely headed for a draw as day four begins, such a result could help to turn around the spirits of West Indies following their difficulties in the months since their tour of Australia.
