South Africa pile on the runs

2005-04-23 19:57

Bridgetown, Barbados - South Africa continued to plunder the West Indies bowling and reached 335 for two at lunch on the third day of the third Test here on Saturday.

At the interval, opening batsman Abraham de Villiers was undefeated on 155 and Jacques Kallis was not out on zero, as South Africa continued their reply to the West Indies' first innings total of 296.

Just before the interval, West Indies made a breakthrough quite fortuitously, when Boeta Dippenaar was run out for 71, when he failed to beat substitute fielder Dwayne Smith's direct hit at the bowler's end from short fine leg.

Dippenaar hit half a dozen fours and one six from 158 balls in close to three and a quarter hours and added 143 for the second wicket with de Villiers.

Dippenaar and de Villiers, who took 40 minutes and 22 balls to get off the mark, were unflappable and batted through for all but the last three minutes of the morning period.

The West Indies' bowlers toiled effortlessly for the breakthrough, but it took a bit of misfortune for Dwayne Bravo to bring Smith onto the field, and the West Indies got the wicket they so badly desired.

Bravo left the field with a gash over his left eye, when he attempted a diving stop at cover and the ball bounced awkwardly.

South Africa lead the four-Test series 1-0, after winning the second Test at Port of Spain by eight wickets.

The first Test at Georgetown was drawn, and the fourth and final Test at St. John's, begins on April 29.

South Africa will be looking to win their fourth straight series against West Indies, and their first road trip in two years.

- AFP