Donald strikes for S. Africa

PORT OF SPAIN (TRINIDAD), MARCH 19. South African fast bowler Allan Donald struck four crucial blows to prevent the West Indies from taking command on the second day of the second Test against the West Indies at the Queen's Park Oval.

West Indies finished the day on 250 for seven, 36 runs behind South Africa's first innings total of 286.

It left the match evenly poised, with three days left and every prospect that one team will gain a victory that will put it ahead in the five-match series.

It could have been better for the home side if Donald had not ended the efforts of four leading batsmen, all of whom were threatening to make a big score, including West Indian captain Carl Hooper, who looked in superb form and made 53 before falling victim to the second new ball.

Donald's first breakthough ended a second wicket stand of 70 between Wavell Hinds and Marlon Samuels when Samuels (35) edged a drive to third slip in Donald's first over after lunch. He then had Hinds caught behind for 56.

He followed up by having Ramnaresh Sarwan caught at first slip for 34 after Sarwan and Hooper put on 75 for the fifth wicket. Donald finished the day with figures of four for 67.

Hinds looked surprised to be given out by Australian umpire Darrell Hair and replays suggested there was a gap between bat and ball as the left-hander pushed at a delivery outside the off- stump.

Hinds hit 12 fours in a 114-ball innings, almost all of them from hooks and pulls. In between playing some powerful strokes, Hinds survived several lbw appeals and could have been run out on 28 when, after a big appeal for lbw by Jacques Kallis, he set off for a run.

He was sent back and Gary Kirsten at cover missed the stumps from about 10m. Samuels was dropped before he scored when wicketkeeper Mark Boucher could not hold a low edge, diving to his right.

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Section  : Sport
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