Windies stare defeat in the face, again
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — Not for the first time in the series, West Indies were staring defeat in the face after another shameful collapse on the third day of the third and final Test against South Africa yesterday.
Already trailing on first innings by 115 runs, West Indies suffered yet another familiar capitulation to finish the day 134 for seven, just 19 runs ahead with two days remaining in the match at Kensington Oval.
Veteran left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul propped up the innings with a defiant, unbeaten 57 from 156 balls, but failed to find support from the top order and at the close was partnered by Suleiman Benn on four.
Their demise was inspired by fast bowler Dale Steyn (3-31), who knocked over the top order in quick time, and off-spinner Johan Botha who dealt crucial blows down the order as he finished with three for 34.
Earlier, Benn claimed two of the last four Proteas wickets to fall to finish with career-best figures of six for 81 as South Africa were bowled out for 346 after resuming at their overnight 285 for six.
Ashwell Prince, unbeaten on 55 overnight, was unbeaten on 78 from 262 balls after he failed to find extensive support from the lower order.
Hoping for a sound batting performance to first overturn the deficit and then build, West Indies once again tumbled like ninepins, as a combination of poor shot selection and accurate Proteas bowling caused their demise.
Dale Richards and his captain Chris Gayle got the innings away to a hasty start when they posted 27 from 28 balls with both openers gathering runs breezily.
The right-handed Richards took a couple of boundaries from the first over of the innings, bowled by Steyn and straight drove the pacer sweetly in his next over for another four, to bring the smattering of spectators to life.
But his penchant for Steyn cost him dearly. Attempting to pull a short ball in the fifth over of the innings, he was superbly caught at square leg by Alviro Petersen who ran back and dived to send Richards on his way.
Narsingh Deonarine failed to assess the gravity of the situation and drove the first ball he received to Prince at short cover and when Gayle got one that bounced and swung from Steyn to be caught at the wicket by Mark Boucher, West Indies were in strife at 36 for three.
Chanderpaul, who has stroked six fours, and Brendan Nash (12) temporarily raised hopes with a 36-run, fourth-wicket stand, briefly recalling memories of their big partnership in St Kitts in the last Test.