South Africa inflicted a Test series loss on West Indies, winning by seven wickets to end the tour unbeaten. Shivnarines Chanderpaul’s innings had been the only one of substance amidst a lineup of capitulation, and it continued on the fourth day – the support found in Shane Shillingford was absent from the final three, all sent packing by Morkel.

Morkel attacked Sulieman Benn from round the wicket, moving the ball both ways and beating the bat regularly. In the 62nd over one nipped back in, making a mockery of Benn’s defence; knocking him. Kemar Roach followed shortly after, edging a drive to Mark Boucher after a series of short balls.

Chanderpaul had shown confidence in the tail, picking singles, but the plan proved foolish as his partners fell cheaply. The debutant Brandon Bess wafted one to second slip. It took Morkel only three overs to polish off the tail, leaving South Africa just 47 to chase.

Roach displayed plenty of aggression, nipping out three wickets – Graeme Smith (10), Alviro Peterson (6) and Hashim Amla (25), the later falling four runs short of closing out the match. Roach followed Morkel’s lead and peppered the batsmen with short balls – including a few well-directed bouncers.

But the game was long over, finishing in the ninth over. Though South Africa will take confidence from the series win, they were aided by a wayward West Indian outfit in all respects.

West Indies (first innings) 231 all out
Dwayne Bravo 61, Narsingh Deonarine 46, Johan Botha 4-56
South Africa (first innings) 346 all out
Ashwell Prince 78*, AB de Villiers 73, Sulieman Benn 6-81
West Indies (second innings) 161 all out
Shivnarine Chanderpaul 71*, Morne Morkel 3-33, Johan Botha 3-46
South Africa (second innings) 49-3
Hashim Amla 25, Graeme Smith 10, Kemar Roach 3-22
South Africa win by seven wickets.

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Sulieman Benn provided an early indication of the assistance on offer for the spinners, wrapping up the South African tail for career-best figures of 6-81. Despite this and the deteriorating track the Proteas, led by Ashwell Prince (78*), were able to add 61 to their overnight score of 285.

The West Indies had been gifted the wicket of Boucher; runout on the second attempt following a mid-pitch collision. However, Prince held his nerve and proved immovable (invariably strandedwhen the tail failed to wag), but Botha was stumped by swift turn and Morne Morkel undone by one that held its line – both snared by Benn who gave the hosts a hint of hope.

South Africa’s first innings lead of 115 was lower than what they would have liked and the West Indies (also with two spinners) had the opportunity to set a defendable total for a fourth innings chase on the crumbling pitch. Rash shot selection derailed any such plans; a lack of composure once again their undoing.

Richards spooned a catch off a mistimed pull off Steyn, and Narsingh Deonarine was caught by Prince at short cover, driving expansively at his first ball. Though denied a hat-trick, Steyn returned to surprise Gayle with some inward movement and extra bounce, producing an edge to Mark Boucher.

Chanderpaul and Brendan Nash battled hard before tea but the widening cracks were exploited by Botha and Pauk Harris after the break to ask questions of the pair. It was Nash who was the most troubled; Botha snaring him with one that turned away sharply, nicking to slip. Denesh Ramdin again failed to produce an innings of substance – caught by Boucher trying to heave a Botha topspinner. At 75-6 the West Indies were staring down the barrel of a three-day humiliation.

Shane Shillingford provided an edgy cameo to give Chanderpaul assistance from the other end; once again abandoned by the top order. His 25 runs were by no means convincing, but it gave a few precious runs to the West Indian cause.

Chanderpaul brought up his 50, but a quicker delivery from Botha broke his 43-run stand with Shillingford – the later bowled lbw by a ball that didn’t turn. Botha’s third left the hosts teetering at 128-7, with only Chanderpaul (57*) Benn (4*), Kemar Roach and Brandon Bess remaining.

West Indies (first innings) 231 all out
Dwayne Bravo 61, Narsingh Deonarine 46, Johan Botha 4-56
South Africa (first innings) 346 all out
Ashwell Prince 78*, AB de Villiers 73, Sulieman Benn 6-81
West Indies (second innings) 134-7
Shivnarine Chanderpaul 57*, Dale Steyn 3-31, Johan Botha 3-34
West Indies lead by 19 runs with three wickets remaining.

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Patience and determination from de Villiers and Prince, backed up by a bit of luck, helped South Africa lay the foundation for a first innings lead. With the pitch expected to deteriorate, the efforts of Prince (55*) and Mark Boucher (4*) in the first session of day three will be decisive.

It was slow going initially by de Villiers and Smith, cautious against Benn with five fielders around the bat, but the pair patiently weathered the storm. De Villiers broke a 135-ball boundary drought and Prince brought up the half-century partnership with a push to point in a post-lunch session that yielded just 58.

After tea, Bess’ ill-discipline resulted in de Villiers reached his half-century and took South Africa into the lead before Prince raised his own. However, just as West Indies seemed to be drifting out of contention, Benn struck again to remove de Villiers shortly before stumps.

Earlier the West Indies spinners were able to extract both turn and bounce in good measure, keeping the close-in fielders interested throughout and troubling the South African top order. Despite this, Smith and Kallis settled in well after seeing off the early pressure created by the loss of Paul Harris and Dwayne Bravo’s four consecutive maidens.

Benn, however, was rewarded for his variation. Smith, surprised by the sharp turn and extra bounce on a ball turning from the footmarks, was the first to go, popping a catch to short leg. An arm ball from Benn in the first over after lunch took Kallis’ off-stump, deceived after a ball that gripped and spun, to leave South Africa at 145-5

De Villiers’ resistance could have been ended early on a few occasions had the hosts employed reviews. On 8, de Villiers bottom-edged Kemar Roach to the wicketkeeper. A long discussion followed Steve Davies’ rejection of the appeal, but the decision went uncontested. Then, de Villiers on 42, debutant Brandon Bess trapped him in front, but the umpire’s call again went uncontested.

West Indies (first innings) 231 all out
Dwayne Bravo 61, Narsingh Deonarine 46, Johan Botha 4-56
South Africa (first innings) 285-6
AB de Villiers 73, Graeme Smith 70, Sulieman Benn 4-59
South Africa lead by 54 runs with four wickets in hand.

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On a pitch which traditionally favors pace, the West Indies were crippled by the Proteas’ bolstered spin attack. Botha was introduced in the 11th over and together with Paul Harris, threatened more frequently than the later managed in St Kitts. However, the seamers too had their spoils, Steyn and Morkel once again removing the opening pair (Chris Gayle for 20 and Dale Richards 0 respectively) early to leave the hosts at 21-2.

However, the West Indies showed some spirit – all too absent in this series – and, through Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Narsingh Deonarine, consolidated taking the home side to 76-2.

Botha saw an end to this – his three scalps after the break summing up the variations in his armoury. In the first over, he lured Chanderpaul (22) forward, flighting the ball, and produced an outside edge as the ball dipped and turned away. Kallis’ brilliant catch was the cherry on top of a sublime dismissal. Brendan Nash followes in Botha’s next over; deceived by the turn, and trapped in front. Though ruled not out by Simon Taufel, a referral reversed proceedings.

Deonarine, despite a late flurry subsequent to Chanderpaul’s dismissal (with whom he had build a 55-run partnership) failed to spot a quicker delivery from Botha and was castled, to leave the West Indian cause in tatters at 105-5.

Enter Dwayne Bravo (61) and Denish Ramdin (27), who restored stability against the spinners in their 76-run stand, though frequently offering the seamers a sniff, particularly in response to shorter lengths.

It was Ramdin who departed first, top-edging an attempted hook off Kallis straight to Steyn at fine leg. Shane Shillingford (0) went in a similar fashion just 10 balls later. The temptation to dispatch a length ball, following a barrage of short ones, proved too strong for Bravo, ending his glittering half-century by edging Steyn to slip to end West Indian resistance.

Chasing 231, Graeme Smith started without hesitation – comfortable pulling the seamers through midwicket and whipping them through square, and coming down the track to the slower bowlers. However trouble at the other end dampened the lively start; Alviro Peterson caught after mistiming a pull, and Hashim Amla slapping Sulieman Benn straight to point. The guests closed out the day at 46-2, Smith and night watchman Harris resolute at the crease.

West Indies (first innings) 231 all out
Dwayne Bravo 61, Narsingh Deonarine 46, Johan Botha 4-56
South Africa (first innnings) 46-2
Graeme Smith 35*, Sulieman Benn 1-2

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With next to no deterioration on the Warner Park driveway, South Africa’s batting out the day was a formality – the side losing just three wickets till the final hour after tea, when the captains expectedly decided to call it off.

Earlier, Graeme Smith looked solid before falling for 46 to Shane Shillingford, cutting one time too many tto a delivery turning away. Conversely Alviro Petersen was watchful – he had a slip, silly point and silly mid-off but negated their influence with steady, mature play.

Hashim Amla, however, was circumspect against the turn and bounce. Given a life on 21 by Dwayne Bravo (who dropped him at slip) Amla illustrated his worth – 5 impressive boundaries around the wicket against the slower bowlers tempering his previous edginess. But Shillingford again derailed him in the forties (41 to the first innings’ 44). Dwayne Bravo then ended both the innings and Petersen’s contribution; his yorker castling the opener for 39.

Kallis and AB de Villiers (31*) ensured the draw with their unbeaten 104-run stand, the match crawling to a close as the pair worked on their averages. Kallis was solid as ever against the seamers, and with Shillingford adopting a defensive line, was asked few questions by the spinners. He reached his fifty-third half-century just before the tea break.

South Africa declared an hour in to the tea break to bring about the Test’s premature but warranted end. The Proteas still hold a 1-0 series lead with one Test to play, but the match signals the end of a nine match Caribbean winning streak for the tourists.

South Africa (first innings) 543-6 declared
AB de Villiers 135*, Graeme Smith 132, Shane Shillingford 3-193
West Indies (first innings) 546 all out
Shivnarine Chanderpaul 166, Brendan Nash 114, Morne Morkel 4-116
South Africa (second innings) 235-3 declared
Jacques Kallis 62*, Graeme Smith 46, Shane Shillingford 2-80
Match drawn

On a lifeless track the West Indian pair of Dwayne Bravo and Shivnarine Chanderpaul batted without intent – looking to play for a draw rather than press for runs. Despite being immovable, the pair added only 39 runs in the morning session.

The bowlers maintained a consistent line outside the off stump, and at times even threw the bait with fuller deliveries, inviting the drive. But the negativity of the hosts’ approach was unsurpassable – only two boundaries coming before lunch.

Paul Harris did little to draw the pair from their shells; his round the wicket line (coupled with a notable lack of turn) encouraged defensive play – Bravo happy to pad away his monotonous offerings. Graeme Smith gave Harris four men around the bat – a slip, forward short leg, silly mid-off and short fine leg – seemingly without cause; Harris bowling three wides down the leg side in one over to underline South African frustrations.

Harris took steps to redeeming his one dimensional performance with the scalps of both Chanderpaul and Bravo. Chanderpaul added only 15 to his overnight score, off 93 balls, when he spooned a catch back to the left-armer. Lanwabo Tsotsobe removed Denish Ramdin (1) cheaply before Bravo, having brought up his half-century off 176 balls just after lunch, was snaffled by Mark Boucher when he edged an attempted drive.

At 486-8, Ravi Rampaul (31) and Sulieman Benn (26) gave some life to the deadened encounter with a 59-run stand. Morne Morkel, who suffered most in their brief surge, claimed both with rising deliveries – Mark Boucher becoming the first wicket-keeper to reach 500 dismissals in the process.

With the day drawing to a close Smith and Alviro Petersen took to the crease to close out the day, seeing off an uneventful 11 overs.

Barring an unprecedented collapse, day five looks to hold little more than batting practice for the tourists – having already put on 23 in the final stages of the day and the pitch looking as unresponsive as ever.

South Africa (first innings) 543-6 declared
AB de Villiers 135*, Graeme Smith 132, Shane Shillingford 3-193
West Indies (first innings) 546 all out
Shivnarine Chanderpaul 166, Brendan Nash 114, Morne Morkel 4-116
South Africa (first innings) 23-0
Graeme Smith 13*, Alviro Petersen 8*

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The West Indies walked to the follow-on mark and beyond, ending at 424-4 at the close of play despite a restrictive morning session. Though the Proteas failed to tear into the top order as they had in the first Test, they affectively applying pressure – probing off-stump lines and field placement effecting a boundary drought.

Following from the second day, Chris Gayle was out playing a ball from Morne Morkel on to his stumps – a lack of foot movement once again his undoing. Narsingh Deonarine’s half-century ended in a similar fashion, Dale Steyn changing his line to cramp Deonarine who chopped it on.

The runs flowed freer than the morning session (where only 40 runs were scored) when Nash and Chanderpaul found their feet after lunch. After initially leaving playable deliveries outside off, Chanderpaul started reaching out to the fuller ones shaping away. Where Chanderpaul gained the upper hand over Morkel’s line, Nash exasperated Dale Steyn – swatting his short balls to alleviate any pressure.

The surface had no demons and was unresponsive to the seamers. However, with Paul Harris finding neither turn nor bounce Graeme Smith had little to turn to.

Nash reached three figures for the second time in his career. His 220-run stand with Chanderpaul, starting at 151-3, ended at the hands of AB de Villiers – throwing the stumps down with a direct hit from gully when Nash walked down the wicket assuming a single.

Chanderpaul too progressed towards 100, milking the spinners – even employing the slog sweep to demonstrate the lifelessness of the track. He reached his 22nd century, bringing up his 150 just before the close. Dwayne Bravo (21*) played a late supporting act after Nash’s fall, adding an unbeaten 53 with Chanderpaul.

South Africa (first innings) 543-6 declared
AB de Villiers 135*, Graeme Smith 132, Shane Shillingford 3-193
West Indies (first innings) 424-4
Shivnarine Chanderpaul 151*, Brendan Nash 114, Morne Morkel 2-87

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Jacques Kallis’ hundred (110) contrasted the ferocity of de Villiers’, and though West Indies didn’t exhibit the clumsiness of day one, the blunted bowling attack remained – appearing to play out the overs until the eventual declaration. The opening session was notably watchful – the preservation of wickets key to the South African cause – but the afternoon session heralded greater impetus, spearheaded by de Villiers.

He started off the day watchfully, but against the likes of Ravi Rampaul, who repeatedly offered up half-volleys outside off-stump, found his rhythm quickly. Bringing up his 50 shortly after the break, de Villiers set to work. His first fifty had come off 84 balls, his second just 46. Unlike Kallis (who plodded around for 15 balls on 99) de Villiers wasted little time, launching Sulieman Benn over long-on for six to rocket past the hundred mark.

Kallis’ innings, though absent of the flare of de Villiers, consolidated the foundation laid by Graeme Smith’s 132 on the previous day. However, it was not without highlight; before lunch Kallis flicked Bravo past midwicket to pass 11000 Test runs (the sixth batsman to do so) and pushed the visitors toward their eventual declaration.

After spending the better part of two days on the field, Chris Gayle and Narsingh Deonarine saw off Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel (the later having dismissed Travis Dowlin early), West Indies reaching 86 for 1 before bad light forced an early end to the day.

Needing a strong response, Gayle led watchfully against the seamers early on, lashing out only against the fuller deliveries – scorching seven fours. Deonarine too capitalised on the pitched up deliveries, welcoming Paul Harris with a mammoth hit over long-on.

With the West Indian pair having found their feet, the morning and middle sessions of day three will prove decisive – if South Africa can snare the hosts cheaply they will the staring into the eye of a ninth consecutive victory in the Caribbean.

South Africa (first innings) 543-6 declared
AB de Villiers 135*, Graeme Smith 132, Shane Shillingford 3-193
West Indies (first innings) 86-1
Chris Gayle 44*, Narsingh Deonarine 33*, Morne Morkel 1-29

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Valuable contributions from Alviro Petersen, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis and poor catching from the home side aided Smith’s charge, and cleared the path toward a big first innings total for the Proteas. Smith did not allow himself to get bogged down and managed to keep the scoreboard moving with singles and twos. A one dimensional seam attack did nothing to aid the hosts’ cause – Smith allowed to settle in early, Petersen leading in the opening session with the captain coming to the fore from there on.

Petersen had an answer for everything – pulling short balls, dispatching the full with fluent drives, using his feet against the spinners. Only a fine catch by Kemar Roach, running forward from long leg, ended his innings on 52, leaving him lamenting what may have been – he looked to have thrown away a century.

Shane Shillingford tucked Smith up on a few occasions with his round-the-wicket line, but with the West Indian seamers not taking this hint to adjust their line of attack, but Smith showed a patience absent of late, focusing more on steady accumulation than bludgeoning his way from trouble. But aggression was not absent; he belted Narsingh Deonarine for consecutive sixes over long-on (taking him past 7000 Test runs).

The West Indies squandered numerous chances to end Proteas partnerships – Smith put down twice on his way to his 21st century – Shivnarine Chanderpaul dropping a lofted sweep at square leg (Smith on 79) and Denesh Ramdin’s failing to glove a thin edge from Shillingford (Smith on 112). Amla, who added 112 with Smith for the second wicket, also had his chances; let off on 14 when a thick outside edge sailed past Chris Gayle.

Shillinford toiled, unafraid to flight the ball in full. He got the wicket of Amla (44), edging to slip before tea. Perhaps his sporadic inroads contributed to the West Indies’ rejection of the new ball, despite Roach coming on for a new spell. Despite this, Roach managed to get the crucial wicket of Smith, dragging one onto his stumps for a tame end to a captain’s knock.

South Africa had the well-set Kallis at the crease at the end, with AB de Villiers for company. Kallis had set off in fifth gear, scoring his first 22 runs off just 16 balls, but as the final session wore on, he struggled to pick the gaps. At stumps, the Proteas sit in a commanding position, and must be eyeing a mammoth first innings total.

South Africa (first innings) 296-3
Graeme Smith 132, Alviro Peterson 52, Shane Shillingford 2-91.

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Despite being forced to toil for their wickets (a stark contrast to day three), South Africa delivered a comprehensive performance despite the stoic resistance of Chris Gayle. Only Gayle (73) and Dwayne Bravo (49) looked to halt an embarrassment at South African hands. But the crushing 163 run defeat proved even their efforts were too little too late.

Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn once again managed to draw life from an inanimate pitch, demonstrating again that they are the foremost fast bowling pair in Test cricket. Morkel again made the early headway, trapping Travis Dowlin (1) lbw with his first ball of the innings. Brendan Nash’s stay was once again brief, removed by Steyn five overs later, as the West Indies teetered at 39-2.

Gayle, coupled with the Test cricket stalwart Shivnarine Chanderpaul, consolidated and launched a counter-attack. Gayle raced to a half-century in 62 balls, yet could only watch as Chanderpaul lost concentration (edging Jacques Kallis to slip) to end a 55-run stand and the pair’s resistance. Gayle’s resistance continued for another 22 runs, but when Morkel landed the killer blow, removing him for the second time in the match, the West Indies knight had fallen.

Narsingh Deonarine failed to withstand a round-the-wicket attack from Steyn and became the third lbw of the innings after contributing 23. At 152-5, chasing 456 with a day remaining, West Indies’ chances of a favourable result had evaporated.

Deonarine’s dismissal ended a useful stand with Bravo (49), who fell to Paul Harris in a waiting game. Dinesh Ramdin then gifted Lonwabo Tsotsobe his first Test wicket, leaving the spinning duo – Sulieman Benn and Shane Shillingford – who earlier in the day had limited South Africa to 51 runs in 18.3 overs – to salvage some respectability.

Their 66-run stand in almost 15 overs, when even the South African quicks could extract nothing due to an old ball, was finally undone by Alviro Petersen; Shillingford following shortly after. Steyn finished the job, bowling Nelon Pascal off an inside edge to give South Africa their eighth successive victory over West Indies this tour.

South Africa (first innings) 352 all out
Mark Boucher 69, AB de Villiers 68, Sulieman Benn 5-120
West Indies (first innings) 102 all out
Narsingh Deonarine 29, Dale Steyn 5-24, Morne Morkel 4-19
South Africa (second innings) 206-4 declared
Graeme Smith 90, Jacques Kallis 40*, Sulieman Benn 3-74
West Indies second innings 293 all out
Chris Gayle 73, Dwayne Bravo 49, Dale Steyn 3-65
South Africa won by 163 runs with one day to spare

The West Indies were bundled out for just 102; in the process Steyn becoming the fourth fast bowler (after Clarrie Grimmett, Dennis Lillee and Waqar Younis) to reach 200 Test wickets.

Morkel made the early inroads, snatching three quick scalps (of Chris Gayle, Travis Dowlin and Brendan Nash) to reduce the hosts to 12-3. Morkel managed to extract life from a slow, irresponsive pitch and bully the top order in the morning session, all wickets falling to shorter deliveries. His burst left the West Indian innings in tatters, but the pairing of Narsingh Deonarine (29) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (26) provided stiff opposition.

Their 59-run fourth-wicket stand looked to momentarily consolidate a West Indian response, but Steyn had other ideas, tearing through the resistance with reverse swing at pace. Six wickets fell for just four runs in under five overs, Steyn snaring 5-24. Despite a modest rearguard action (a 27-run partnership between Denesh Ramdin and Nelon Pascal) pushing the score past 100, the innings was over (confirmed by Jacques Kallis’s first scalp), and a 250 run lead the Protea’s.

Notably, Paul Harris failed to have any impact, let alone that of the West Indian spinners in the first innings, conceding 25 runs in his six overs.

Deciding against the follow-on, Graeme Smith and Alviro Petersen put on 56 despite increasing frequent displays of massively inconsistent bounce. Sulieman Benn then trapped Petersen (22) in front, whilst Hashim Amla (5) again fell to the spinners, driving uppishly to reduce South Africa to 79-2.

Smith fought to a half-century off 78 balls and found traces of the form that has eluded him of late. Kallis was belligerent, his first boundary a massive six over long-on off debutant Shane Shillingford and took South Africa’s lead past 400 with a savage pull off Pascal. Fading light forced the players from the field, but with Smith (79*) and Kallis (40*) at the helm with two days to play, the Proteas look to be in a winning position.

South Africa (first innings) 352 all out
Mark Boucher 69, AB de Villiers 68, Sulieman Benn 5-120
West Indies (first innings) 102 all out
Narsingh Deonarine 29, Dale Steyn 5-24, Morne Morkel 4-19
South Africa (first innings) 155-2
Graeme Smith 79*, Jacques Kallis 40*, Sulieman Benn 1-46
South Africa lead by 405 runs with 8 wickets remaining

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By Rory Keohane

After losing three big wickets on day one (Graeme Smith, Alviro Petersen and Hashim Amla), night watchman Paul Harris and Jacques Kallis fell after 37 runs on the second day. This saw the Proteas slump to 107-5. However, the Proteas’ middle order came to the rescue.

AB de Villiers (68), Ashwell Prince (57) and Mark Boucher (69) all scored half centuries to steer South Africa to a respectable total. Dale Steyn also chipped in with a useful 39.

However, Windies spinner Sulieman Benn ripped through the tail to finish on figures of 5-120. Dwayne Bravo dismissed Boucher for the Proteas’ final wicket to end the visitors’ innings and day two.

Stumps, Day 2:
First innings – South Africa 352 (129.4 overs)
Mark Boucher 69, AB de Villiers 68, Ashwell Prince 57, Sulieman Benn 5-120.

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Graeme Smith and Alviro Petersen had guided the visitors to 45-0 at tea, but the spinners made their mark after the break, with Shillingford removing both openers (on his Test debut) and Benn getting rid of Hashim Amla, the three wickets falling in the space of 15 runs to leave South Africa struggling at 70-3 when bad light stopped play.

The seamers, who were hampered by the tacky wicket, caused little trouble and it was no great shock when Chris Gayle turned to Benn early. Bounce and sharp turn off the dry surface were immediate – length was not. It took Benn an over to find a troubling length, but midway through his second the batsmen looked troubled.

Encouraged by Benn’s success, Shillingford took the ball for the first time. With the debutant operating from over the stumps, Smith was able to cover the turn and bounce with his body, the line negating any lbw shout. Shillingford, pushing his length forward and Smith, habitually playing back, didn’t get close enough to the pitch of the ball. It gripped and spun to take the edge – Bravo holding on to a rising catch at slip to take the score to 55-1.

Where Petersen and Smith had stayed deep in the crease to counter the turn, Amla responded by shuffling by shuffling right across to smother Shillingford’s line. However Amla had no answer to the ball spinning across him, falling to Benn on his ninth ball faced.

Petersen ensured the close fielders now converged around the bat weren’t needed when his attempted leg-flick was beaten by the turn and he was struck on the pad. Petersen consulted Jacques Kallis and asked for a referral, but without sufficient cause to overturn the umpire’s decision, he was given his marching orders.

Paul Harris was sent out as nightwatchman and found himself surrounded: slip, gully, silly mid-off, short leg and leg gully all in place. Harris, looking solid considering the flaky batting surface, survived until play was stopped due to bad light.

On the turning wicket Benn, Gayle and Shillingford will likely continue to cause headaches for the visitors. The omission of Johan Botha, JP Duminy on such a turning track could prove costly for the Proteas.

South Africa 70-3 (1st Innings)
Alviro Petersen 31, Graeme Smith 23, Shane Shillingford 2-5

By Rory Keohane

The West Indies lost openers Chris Gayle and Dale Richards cheaply and Shivnarine Chanderpaul anchored the innings with a patient 67. This saw the home side have a slow start to their innings as they stood on 96-3, a run-rate of 3.84 an over.

However, Narsingh Deonaraine (53 of 53 balls) and Kieron Pollard (25 off 19 balls) picked up the momentum and steered the Windies to a competitive total of 252-6 after their 50 overs.

In reply, skipper Graeme Smith failed to make an impact but Hashim Amla continued his fine form to give South Africa a solid start, scoring 45. He combined with an aggressive Jacques Kallis, who put together 57 off 55 balls.

JP Duminy (51) then played a key innings which helped the Proteas’ tailenders to secure victory in the final over.

West Indies 252-6 (50 overs)
Shivnarine Chanderpaul 67, Narsingh Deonaraine 53, Lonwabo 2-31.
South Africa 255-9 (49.4 overs)
Jacques Kallis 57, JP Duminy 51, Chris Gayle 2-38.

South Africa won by one wicket

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Amla’s innings was impressive; only 30 of his runs in boundaries when he crossed the 100 mark, but his 129 still coming from 115 balls. Graeme Smith (23 from 29) was targeted by the hosts; quick fielding and innovative fields (two midwickets The intensity dropped after Smith’s dismissal, but Amla picked off singles with ease to reach 50 from 45 deliveries.

The dominant partner in stands of 59 and 119 with Smith and Jacques Kallis (51 from 54) respectively, Amla continued grafting it out till he neared his century, but his exhaustion became evident. When his 129 came to an end, South Africa needed 80 off nearly 12 overs with seven wickets in hand; a more than manageable ask.

JP Duminy, was scratchy, but De Villiers (57 from 64) kept the Proteas cause afloat. Coupled with West Indian intent (an unusual sight this series) the pair endured a nine over boundary drought. The required rate soared to nine and the pressure mounted. Two dropped catches and an 18-run Kieron Pollard over shifted momentum back in South Africa’s favour. The visitors went into the final over needing 3 to win. Down to the final delivery, De Villiers pushed it to Darren Sammy at short midwicket, who failed to field it quickly.

Earlier, Dale Richards compensated for Chris Gayle’s failure with an attacking innings; plundering runs down the ground for 59; including seven fours and a six. However the South Africans discipline pegged West Indies back, but Shivnarine Chanderpaul (66 from 89) and Dwayne Bravo (46 from 51) grafted rather than capitulating as so often seen this series.

Darren Bravo (45 from 31) and Pollard (26 from 18) gave the innings a punctuated end with a stand of 59. Pollard played some particularly monstrous hits to take the West Indies close to 300. Thought the marked improvement wasn’t enough to undo the Proteas, the second dead rubber (and final ODI) promises to hold greater contest if the hosts continue to improve.

West Indies 303-6 (50 overs)
Shivnarine Chanderpaul 66, Dale Richards 59, Lonwabo Tsotsobe 2-48
South Africa 304-3 (50 overs)
Hashim Amla 129, AB de Villiers 57*, Dwayne Bravo 1-41
South Africa won by seven wickets

For a full scorecard click here.

South Africa wrapped up the West Indies, claiming their sixth successive bilateral series win and ninth successive victory, after their well-oiled seam attack found life in a barely responsive track in Dominica. AB de Villiers’ fluent 70 (from 80) was the centerpiece of what had seemed a small South African total, after the tourists had similarly given their wickets away.

West Indies made a good start to their pursuit of 225 but Chris Gayle fell in the sixth over. However, at 58-1 after 11, West Indies were coasting, but the introduction of Morne Morkel shifted the momentum into the Proteas’ hands. In his first over he had Richards edging to Jacques Kallis, in his next he proved too quick for Darren Bravo; plum LBW.

10 overs later, having added only 30, the pair of Dwayne Bravo and Shivnarine Chanderpaul fell, leaving West Indies 93-5 in the 24th. Their big-hitters Kieron Pollard and Darren Sammy, the home side’s last hope, were tied down by a barrage of short balls from the South African quicks.

Langeveldt’s sixth over proved the West Indies’ undoing, containing three wickets; Pollard caught at backward point, Sammy caught behind looking to belt the team out of trouble, and Jerome Taylor run out on jogging. West Indies were 118-8 and the series was gone – all that was left was Morkel cleaning up the tail.

The home side’s batting was in sharp contrast to their spirited bowling and fielding earlier in the day, their best effort thus far in the series. Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis removed, South Africa were moving steadily at 146 for 3 after 31 overs, de Villiers central to the innings. However, Alviro Petersen and David Miller fell cheaply and South Africa slid into a rut.

That meant de Villiers had to play out the final 15 as the only specialist batsman. But he proved more than capable; reaching a strike-rate of nearly 90. It seemed South Africa were set to hit top gear when he clobbered a huge six over midwicket in the 38th over, but the bouncer which struck Johan Botha above the eye snapped the momentum.

De Villiers’ run out left South Africa with no specialist batsmen for their batting Powerplay; resulting in the mediocre finish of 224. Their aggressive fast bowling proved their saving grace, clinching the series.

South Africa 224 all out (47.2 overs)
AB de Villiers 70, Hashim Amla 34, Keiron Pollard 3-27
West Indies 157 all out (38 overs)
Dale Richards 28, Shivnarine Chanderpaul 24, Morne Morkel 4-21
South Africa won by 67 runs

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South African may have been a touch conservative, but methodically the tourists advanced to an imposing position. Amla’s 92 (from 95 balls) gave the South African innings much needed impetus, and in combination with Smith’s 37, set a solid foundation before Smith fell in the sixteenth, the Proteas 89-1. Amla worked the ball around with total ease, progressing serenely past 50 quicker than a run a ball.

Kallis became only the second South African, after Shaun Pollock, to play 300 ODIs and he and Amla anchored the innings. South Africa went nine overs without a boundary, but Amla and Kallis still managed to go at almost a run a ball. Amla fell softly, clipping a full delivery to short midwicket, AB de Villiers to the crease with the score at 168-2 in the 32nd.

De Villiers pummeled the West Indies with some big hitting, and supported by Kallis (85 from 89) put on 71 in just over 10 overs. The Batting Powerplay, taken in the 41st over, signaled South Africa’s opportunity to surge past anything chaseable, but Bravo bowled a supreme over, before Kieron Pollard had de Villiers out caught on the long-on boundary.

37 runs later Kallis fell, followed 2 runs later by Alviro Peterson (for one). However Miller again underlined his promise with an unbeaten 26 off 19 balls, featuring two big sixes to lift the total to 300.

Chris Gayle lifted West Indies’ hopes with a couple of crunching blows early on, but when he fell to Morne Morkel the West Indies’ depth (or lack thereof) appeared exposed. Ramnaresh Sarwan pulled a hamstring running a sharp single, leaving West Indies without another senior batsman.

The West Indies’ middle order were chocked by their own inability to work singles. The contrast with Amla and Kallis was crystal clear. Narsingh Deonarine chipped Tsotsobe tamely to mid on, leaving Dale Richards (51 from 85) the mainstay.

Richards shared a useful partnership Bravo, but never flowed. His dismissal brought Kieron Pollard to the wicket with the West Indies chase needing a big-hitting spectacle. When the Batting Powerplay was taken in the 36th over, West Indies needed 9.53 an over and Pollard ended up skying Steyn soon after to be smartly caught by Johan Botha tearing in off the long-on boundary.

Bravo set an example for his team-mates to follow. His 74 came quicker than a run a ball but featured just three fours. He ran superbly and almost laid the foundations for an unexpected victory. When Sarwan returned to the field and fell first ball the game looked as good as done, but Darren Sammy had other ideas.

Having slipped to 236 for 8 in the 45th over, still 65 short of their target, Sammy launched six sixes and two fours on his way to 50 from 20 balls (the fastest by a West Indian batsman). He took the equation to 18 needed off 13 but successive run outs sealed a South African win, which had looked a formality for almost the whole game.

South Africa 300-5 (50 overs)
Hashim Amla 92, Jacques Kallis 85, Keiron Pollard 2-39
West Indies 283 all out (48.1 overs)
Dwayne Bravo 74, Darren Sammy 58*, Morne Morkel 3-58
South Africa won by 17 runs

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Chasing a revised target of 282 in 48 overs, the West Indies reply was characterized by short periods of dominance countered by regular dismissals; eventually bowled out for 215 in the 45th over.

Earlier, Amla and Graeme Smith took South Africa smoothly to 43 when the rain that had delayed the start returned in the sixth over. The break shortened South Africa’s innings by two overs, and shortly after the return to the field Smith Jacques Kallis were back in the pavilion. South Africa, at 57 for 2, weathered a West Indian fight-back through Amla and De Villiers. West Indies did little to further their cause, loose deliveries frequently alleviating pressure at crucial junctures.

The pair used this platform to perfection, and combined to put on 129 for the third wicket. When Amla’s innings ended De Villiers accelerated, taking 13 from a Narsingh Deonarine over and moving into the 80s. JP Duminy was again barraged with the short ball, one of which struck him and left him lying in the crease, and failed to feature for the visitors.

After De Villiers crossed the 100 mark the West Indies finished strongly to peg South Africa back with regular wickets. Amidst this flurry David Miller’s unbeaten 23 ensured South Africa reached a competitive total.

Much like the disjointed innings of the Proteas the West Indies failed to find momentum, and without contributions matching the 129 run stand of Amla and de Villiers, were always going to fall short.

Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo looked to take the match from the visitors after Andre Fletcher fell cheaply; adding 40 in under five overs to fluster the Proteas. Gayle was dropped twice before Ryan McLaren removed Bravo for 15 to break the blossoming partnership. Gayle went down swinging, falling for 45, having top-edged a leg-side heave to Johan Botha at midwicket. This left the West Indies at 69 for 3 in the 13th over, the required run-rate climbing steadily thereafter with Ramnaresh Sarwan and Deonarine, despite a 60 run stand, failing to reach a respectable strike-rate in limited overs cricket.

Kieron Pollard kept hopes of a late fightback with a timely 44. However when he and Denesh Ramdin fell in consecutive overs with the required rate rocketing past 10-an-over, South Africa had sealed the first ODI win of the the tour.

South Africa 280-7 (48 overs)
Hashim Amla 102, AB de Villiers 102, Dwayne Bravo 3-40
West Indies 215 all out (44.1 overs)
Chris Gayle 45, Keiron Pollard 44, Morne Morkel 3-40
South Africa won by 66 runs on the D/L method.

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The men from the Caribbean must be thinking how they lost this one. With South Africa setting a below-average target, the Windies should have won quite easily, despite playing on the same slow pitch as the first T20i.

However, the Proteas’ bowling attack saved the visitors’ blushes as they impressed with the ball. Johan Botha earning the Man of the Match award with figures of 3-22 after his four-over spell.

South Africa had a slow and poor first 13 overs as they slumped to 59-5. Graeme Smith, AB de Villiers and JP Duminy failed to gain any momentum while Loots Bosman and Alviro Petersen were dismissed cheaply.

David Miller (33 off 26 balls) and Johan Botha (23 off 22 balls) played a key partnership to add some respectability to the score. Their 59-run contribution helped the Proteas reach 120-7 after their 20 overs.

The Windies lost their openers Chris Gayle and André Fletcher early but Dwayne Brave and Shivnarine Chanderpaul steadied the innings with a 68-run partnership. Needing 43 off the last five overs and with six wickets in hand, victory were surely withing reach for the home team.

But Botha’s three scalps, which included Chanderpaul, Kieorn Pollard and Ramnaresh Sarwan, slowed down the Windies’ chase. Needing three runs off Ryan McLaren’s final ball, Jerome Taylor only managed to get one run and handed the South Africans an undeserved win.

South Africa 120-7 (20 overs)
David Miller 33, Johan Botha 23, Jerome Taylor 3-14.
West Indies 119-7 (20 overs)
Dwayne Bravo 40, Shivnarine Chanderpaul 29, Johan Botha 3-22.

South Africa won by one run

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Both teams were eager to pick up a win after their early exits from the World T20 a week ago. However, on a difficult batting surface, it would be easy feat.

South Africa were ordered to bat by Windies skipper Chris Gayle, and it looked like the right decision after Loots Bosman was dismissed in the fourth over as the Proteas had a slow start to the innings.

However, skipper Graeme Smith (37) and Jacques Kallis (53) picked up the run-chase with a 73-run partnership. However, after the duo fell, the South African batting line-up failed to adapt to the conditions and slumped to a modest 136-7.

With the ball, McLaren made an immediate impact as the first change bowler, dismissing openers Gayle and Andre Flecther in his first two overs. From then on, the Windies’ batsmen failed to find momentum on the slow pitch as the Proteas’ bowlers dominated.

Kieron Pollard provided the only form of resistance as he top scored with 27 as the home team eventually fell short.

South Africa 136-7 (20 overs)
Jacques Kallis 53, Graeme Smith 37, Kieron Pollard 2-22.
West Indies 123 (19.5 overs)
Kieron Pollard 27, Dwayne Bravo 20, Ryan McLaren 5-19.

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