West Indies in trouble

ST JOHN'S, APRIL 8. West Indian hopes of levelling its five-Test series against South Africa suffered a blow as it struggled to 130 for six in reply to South Africa's 247 on the second day of the fourth Test at the Antigua recreation ground.

Accurate and aggressive fast bowling plunged the West Indies into deep trouble by close of play on Saturday. It faced the prospect of trailing on the first innings as well as having to bat last on a pitch expected to deteriorate.

South Africa reduced the West Indies to 50 for three, then struck three more blows in the late afternoon.

Ramnaresh Sarwan fell to a trap for the second time in the series when he hooked Jacques Kallis to square leg after making 25.

Then the recalled Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who seemed set to take his innings into the third day, was brilliantly caught at slip by a diving Daryll Cullinan for 40. He was the second big scalp for all-rounder Justin Kemp, playing in place of the injured Allan Donald.

Kemp earlier had Brian Lara, whose world Test record 375 was made on the same ground, caught in the covers for 19. Kemp finished the day with two for 17 off eight overs.

Chanderpaul, who did not play in the first three Tests because he was not considered match fit after recovering from an injury, started cautiously but was looking in good form shortly before his dismissal.

A bad day for the West Indies ended when nightwatchman Mervyn Dillon was bowled by a Lance Klusener offcutter.

West Indian captain Carl Hooper remained unbeaten on 16. He and Ridley Jacobs will be the main hopes of enabling the West Indies to get close to South Africa's total after the tourists were sent in by Hooper.

The West Indies could have been in worse trouble if Kemp had not been no-balled when Sarwan edged a catch to Cullinan at first slip before he had scored.

Chris Gayle was caught at gully by South African captain Shaun Pollock off Kallis for 11 before Pollock had Hinds caught behind for nine.

Lara slashed a six over fourth slip off Makhaya Ntini before he drove Kemp into the covers where Neil McKenzie held a diving catch.

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Section  : Sport
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