Dismal West Indies Capitulate
Wednesday, January 21 2004
Another Test, another self-destruction masterclass from a West Indies side whose sporadic signs of progressing out of eighth place in the world seemingly burn out the moment they flicker into life.
Resuming at 263-3, another dawn turned into symbolic dust as a rain-delayed morning session lasted just five overs before Chris Gayle slapped Makhaya Ntini to Neil McKenzie at point, having added just one to his overnight 106. Ramnaresh Sarwan followed three overs later as Pollock brought one in and straightened it to trap Sarwan on the pads and send him back.
277-5 became 278-6 as Dwayne Smith's off stump was uprooted as he aimed an expansive drive at Ntini, and in the first over after lunch, Drakes' tame drive at Pollock led to catching practice for point man Herschelle Gibbs. Some big hits from Mervyn Dillon inched the West Indies into the lead, but it was academic.
Pollock's in-ducker caught Jacobs in front of the stumps and it was left to tail to try and save the game as clouds threatened over Centurion's SuperSport Park. Dillon's breezy interlude came to an end as he edged Pollock to Graeme Smith at slip before Corey Collymore and Fidel Edwards threw the bat, prompting skipper Smith to bring on Andre Nel for Ntini. It was the newly-married man who finished the job, rearranging Edwards' stumps as South Africa were set 46.
Twenty-three legitimate balls were all that was needed for the Proteas. Gibbs was 'caught' at long off by Dwayne Smith, who in the process of taking the catch, stood on the boundary rope, before a wayward over including four wides, four byes and a no-ball from Fidel Edwards brought the curtain down on an eminently forgettable Test for the West Indian contingent. Fifteen extras helped make up the final total.
The two sides now contest a five-match ODI series before South Africa fly to New Zealand for 6 ODIs and three Tests, whilst the West Indians get a much-needed month's break before hosting England for four Tests and seven ODIs, amidst rumours of infighting and divsions running from top to bottom of the camp. No prizes for guessing which side is likely to depart in a better mood...
South Africa 604-6 dec
HH Gibbs 192, GC Smith 139, JH Kallis 130*
RR Sarwan 2-55
West Indies 301
CH Gayle 77
M Ntini 5-49, A Nel 3-64
West Indies 348
RR Sarwan 119, CH Gayle 107
SM Pollock 4-69, M Ntini 3-99
South Africa 46-0
South Africa won by 10 Wickets
South Africa won the 4-Test Series 3-0
CricketWeb Player of the Match: Herschelle Gibbs
CricketWeb Player of the Series: Jacques Kallis
Posted by Neil
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