Fast bowlers stifle S/Africa

GEORGETOWN: Fast bowlers Pedro Collins, Daren Powell and Reon King stifled South Africa’s top order and powered the West Indies cricketers to a commanding position yesterday in the opening cricket Test on a rain-shortened day three at Bourda. South Africa, replying to the Windies’ 543 for five declared, closed on 130 for six.

The dominance through the first three days of the Test came despite the absence of seven key regulars for West Indies, including Brian Lara, involved in a sponsorship dispute with the WICB. Left-armer Collins led charge with two for 33. Powell took two for 42 and King supported with two for 32. Opener AB de Villiers topscored with a 41 which spanned 103 minutes. Wicketkeeper Mark Boucher (32 not out) and Nicky Boje (21 not out) tried to mount a late rally, but South Africa still trailed by 413 and need another 214 runs to avoid the follow on. Early morning rain threatened to spoil the entire day as the outfield was swamped in many places.

But the sun shone throughout the day and enabled play to get under way midway into the second session. The West Indies started quickly as the South Africans, resuming on two without loss, struggled from the outset against a new ball spell from Collins and Powell before tea. Collins began by taking the wicket of captain Graeme Smith, who chased an outswinger and edged to wicketkeeper Courtney Browne. Powell, playing his first Test since December 2002, followed his senior partner’s lead in the next over. The 26-year-old claimed Jacques Rudolph first ball and added the wicket of Jacques Kallis two balls later for a duck.

Left-hander Rudolph steered to third slip where Ryan Hinds made a low catch while Kallis, the No 2 batsman in the world, under-edged an ambitious pull onto his stumps. The home crowd that grew to 6,000 were sent into further excitement again when Collins reduced the visitors to 30 for four by removing Herschelle Gibbs. The right-hander was leg before playing back to an inswinger. The 21-year-old de Villiers forged a mini-revival in a fifth wicket stand of 41 with Boucher. But King, returning to the team for the first time since July 2001, maintained the West Indies’ grip by eliminating de Villiers nine short of a half century.

De Villiers struck seven boundaries off 85 balls before he inside edged to Browne as he forced off the back foot. Boucher and Andrew Hall battled in a further stand of 24 but Guyanese King stirred the home cheers again as Hall swatted a pull to mid-on where Collins slid forward to grasp a low catch. Boucher blossomed as his innings advanced and his defiant stand occupied 140 minutes and 90 deliveries. The right-hander lashed seven boundaries. Left-hander Boje, who hit three fours, batted for 52 minutes and 36 balls.