Jacobs century gives West Indies hope

A maiden Test century from Ridley Jacobs gave the West Indies an outside chance of victory in the third Test against South Africa on Sunday.

After the home side were bowled out for 387 in their first innings, South Africa finished the fourth day on 52 for three -- a lead of 119 runs.

The West Indies started the day on 252 for five but lost captain Carl Hooper without putting on any runs in the first over of the day for 74 when he edged a perfect Jacques Kallis away-swinger to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher.

At that point the West Indies were still three runs away from avoiding the follow-on but vice-captain Jacobs, who resumed on 14, came to the rescue.

Having twice been stranded in the 90s in his Test career, once on 96 against Australia in Perth last year and again on 93 in the second Test of this series in Trinidad, the burly wicketkeeper made it third time lucky thanks to a couple of sixes.

Left-hander Jacobs swung spinner Nicky Boje over square leg to move to 96 and then top-edged a hook against Makhaya Ntini in the next over which sailed over fine leg and into the packed Hall and Griffith stand.

Jacobs' century came from 161 balls with 10 fours and four sixes. He continued to bat with common sense after an emotional reception and was unbeaten on 113 when last man Courtney Walsh was bowled by Kallis.

Kallis carried the bulk of the bowling burden with Allan Donald not fit to take the field and his reward was a second five-wicket haul in Tests and a career-best of six for 67.

Mervyn Dillon (14), Dinanath Ramnarine (6) and Cameron Cuffy (4) all batted for long spells with Jacobs and their efforts were rewarded when South Africa stumbled late in the day to make a win possible when a draw looked almost certain earlier.

Gary Kirsten made the first pair of his 71-test career when Cameron Cuffy squared him up with a fine off-cutter that flew from a leading edge to gully. Kirsten faced three balls in the first innings and just four in the second.

Herschelle Gibbs (19) edged a ball from spinner Hooper to Ramnaresh Sarwan at short leg and Neil McKenzie, batting at number three in place of Kallis after his 36-over bowling stint, nicked spinner Ramnarine to Jacobs to depart for 12.

At the close Daryll Cullinan was unbeaten on 12 and Kallis was on five not out.

A draw, still the likeliest result, would leave South Africa with a 1-0 lead with Two tests to play in the series, in Antigua and Jamaica.

Mail Cricket Editor