West Indies take charge against South Africa

Explosive half-centuries from Ridley Jacobs and Marlon Samuels led West Indies to 255 for seven in their second innings and a commanding overall lead of 339 on the third day of the fifth test against South Africa at Sabina Park on Saturday.

The home side, who earned a first innings lead of 84 after bowling the tourists out for 141 on the second day, collapsed to 126 for five -- a lead of just 210 -- before Jacobs (67 not out) and Samuels (59) restored their superiority with a sixth-wicket stand of 58 as South Africa's disciplined bowling and fielding withered under a sweltering sun.

Resuming in apparent command at 34 without loss and a lead of 118, the day soon turned against the West Indies when opener Leon Garrick was out after superb fast bowling from Allan Donald had set him up during a counter-punching exchange half an hour into play.

Garrick hooked at a medium-paced bouncer and was fortunate to edge it wide of his stumps. The next delivery was a much faster bouncer which flew past the chunky right-hander's helmet as he hooked and missed again.

Fellow opener Chris Gayle attempted to calm his fellow Jamaican down but, although he allowed a third short delivery to pass, he was shaken enough to play at the fourth ball of the sixth over and edged a perfect leg cutter to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher to depart for 27 following his first-ball duck in the first innings.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul (7) edged an away swinger from Justin Kemp to Daryll Cullinan at first slip to become the second victim of the morning session as the home side scored just 39 runs to reach 73 for two at lunch.

Brian Lara's patient innings of 14 from 50 balls ended when an attempt to charge left-arm wrist-spinner Paul Adams resulted in a self-made yorker which bowled him leaving the innings struggling at 77 for three.

Worse was to come for the home side, whose top order appeared unable to force home the advantage of their 84-run first innings lead.

POLLOCK WICKETS
Gayle's painful contribution of 32, spanning 180 balls in over four hours, finally ended when the normally fluent stroke player was deceived by a slower ball from Pollock which yorked him and plucked out middle stump.

Carl Hooper's contribution of five was ended by a searing bouncer from Jacques Kallis that would have hit the batsman's throat had it not lobbed from his defensive glove high to second slip where Pollock held a fine juggling catch.

Samuel's feisty innings of 59 was ended by Pollock when an attempted drive off the back foot hit the inside edge and cannoned into the off stump. Samuel faced 97 balls and struck nine boundaries.

Mervyn Dillon was the final casualty of the day, weakly patting a tired Pollock long-hop to Herschelle Gibbs at backward point.

But Jacobs continued to chance his arm in entertaining style, missing as many hook shots as he hit but ensuring the West Indies were firmly in the driving-seat at the close of play.

Jacobs will resume on 67, made from 138 balls with seven boundaries, with Dinanath Ramnarine, who scored an unbeaten 35 in the first innings and is nine not out in the second.

South Africa have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series but the prospect of their first defeat in 13 tests looms large, while West Indies could win their first test for 15 outings.

Mail Cricket Editor