South Africa edge ahead of Windies by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Ground:	Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain
Scorecard:	West Indies v South Africa
Player:	AB de Villiers, AG Prince, MV Boucher, SJ Benn
Event:	South Africa in West Indies 2010

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DateLine: 11th June 2010

 

The second day of the first Test seesawed slowly before settling in the favour of the visitors. The West Indian bowlers gave the advantage to the hosts by taking early wickets but then half-centuries from de Villiers, Prince and Boucher gave the south African side the slight advantage in the Test.

 

The days started with West Indies snatching the advantage from the grasp of South Africa as they removed the nightwatchman Paul Harris and Jacques Kallis in quick succession. The spinners Shillingford and Benn at times proved unplayable s the wicket resembled a fifth day's track. Once the overnight batsmen were dismissed de Villiers and Prince dug in to take their side to safety. It was difficult task as the ball was bouncing and turning wickedly. The morning session ended in the favour of West Indies but the second session belonged to the South African as de Villiers and Prince played some sensible cricket.

 

The pair used their feet to neutralise the spin and also played some attacking shots to put off the bowlers. The pitch under the sun began to ease up and this time around the bowlers found it hard. The pair brought up their respective half centuries as they added 122 before Gayle removed Prince. de Villiers followed quickly as he was caught behind as the Windies might have thought that they had a genuine chance of wiping out the tail cheaply.

 

But Boucher and Steyn held fort as they added 96 for the eighth wicket to take the match away from the grasp of the Windies. Benn collected a five wicket haul for the second time in his Test career. Boucher fought on as he helped the visitors get past the 350 run mark before he was the last man to be dismissed.