Pollock century stuns West Indies

Captain Shaun Pollock smashed an unbeaten 106 on Friday as he and fast bowling partner Allan Donald fired South Africa to a stunning total -- 454 in the third Test against West Indies.

The ninth wicket pair destroyed West Indies hopes of restricting the visitors to a reasonable first innings score following the dismissal of Daryll Cullinan for 134 before lunch on the second day.

They added 132 together as Pollock completed his second Test 100 and Donald rode his luck to chip in with a Test-best 37.

Donald finally fell to veteran counterpart Courtney Walsh, who finished with three for 87 off 45 overs -- the most he has bowled in one innings.

The West Indies survived the final four overs of the day to reach seven without loss but face an uphill battle to save the match let alone force a win to level the five-match series at 1-1.

Pollock's stunning form with the bat -- he scored his maiden Test century against Sri Lanka four matches ago in South Africa -- continued with an unbeaten 106 from 195 balls. He hit 12 boundaries.

It was only the 10th Test century scored by a number nine batsman.

REMARKABLE

Just as remarkable was the contribution of Donald who faced 121 balls during the stand that probably carried the match beyond the demoralised hosts.

South Africa resumed at 244 for five but lost three quick wickets either side of lunch to slip to 315 for eight.

Then Donald joined Pollock and the home side's misery began.

West Indies captain Carl Hooper immediately offered Pollock, on eight when Donald arrived, a 'free' single in order to attack the number 10.

But the plan backfired immediately with fielders standing too deep and allowing the batsmen to scramble two when they were supposed to be restricted to one.

Pollock declined at least 20 singles in the early stages of the partnership but as Donald grew in confidence he trusted him to face an equal share of the bowling and the exhausted West Indies fielders began to misfield as the afternoon progressed.

Donald took advantage of the attacking fields set for him to slash several short balls over the covers.

Pollock mixed long periods of watchful defence with extreme aggression, notably when hitting Mervyn Dillon for three successive boundaries while moving from 75 to 100 in just 14 balls.

First day centurion Cullinan, who resumed on 108, was brilliantly caught and bowled by Dillon.

Nightwatchman Nicky Boje drove a Dillon half volley to extra cover to depart for 34, leaving the tourists precariously placed at 307 for seven at lunch.

Lance Klusener continued his poor form in the series when Walsh removed his middle stump with a perfect yorker soon after the break. He made one.

But that was the last moment the West Indies could celebrate as their day turned increasingly sour

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