West Indies dictates terms

GEORGETOWN (GUYANA), MARCH 13. Carl Hooper and Ramnaresh Sarwan launched a late assault on the South African bowlers to put the West Indies in command at close on the fourth day of the first Test on Monday.

Hooper and Sarwan shared an unbeaten stand of 76 to leave the West Indies 258 runs ahead on 286 for four at stumps at the Bourda ground. Most of their runs came at the end of a frenetic final session, with both batsmen cutting loose to hammer 62 runs off the final 11 overs of the day. At close, veteran Hooper was not out on 31 with the 20-year-old Sarwan on 71. Their stand started after the second new ball was due, but as in the first innings, South African captain Shaun Pollock opted to stay with the old one, with run-scoring having proved difficult on a slow surface. His decision backfired, though, as Hooper and Sarwan went on the rampage. Earlier, fast bowlers Allan Donald and Makhaya Ntini were the pick of a disciplined bowling combination. Despite the late run chase, the efforts of Hooper and Sarwan ensured that the West Indies will have to bat on into the final day., reducing the number of overs they will be able to bowl at the South Africans in the final innings.

South Africa missed a chance of a crucial breakthrough when star batsman Lara was dropped before he had scored. Neil McKenzie put down a sharp chance at short leg off left-arm spinner Nicky Boje.

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Section  : Sport
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