Proteas pushed to the back foot

KINGSTON, (JAMAICA), APRIL 21. A sensational fightback by the West Indies saw it dismiss South Africa for a feeble 141 on the second day of the fifth Test at Sabina Park.

Defending its own modest first innings score of 225, the home side earned a surprise lead of 84 which had been extended to 118 runs by the close of play.

Though South Africa has already won the series with its unassailable 2-0 lead, the home side undoubtedly restored some of its badly dented pride as the Proteas collapsed.

Mervyn Dillon claimed four wickets and Courtney Walsh three as the tourists succumbed to the home side's three-pronged pace attack in which Cameron Cuffy also played a significant role with two top order wickets.

Opener Gary Kirsten edged Walsh to Gayle at third slip to depart for his third duck in five innings and Herschelle Gibbs (18) edged Cuffy to wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs in the first over after lunch.

Daryll Cullinan, 65 runs short of 500 in the series, attempted an ambitious back foot cover drive and succeeded only in edging the ball to first slip where Brian Lara held a fine, low catch.

Jacques Kallis continued his run of bad luck with an unusual caught and bowled dismissal that saw the ball loop back to Dillon off an inside edge on to the pad. Lance Klusener, who has averaged exactly four runs in the series prior to the fifth Test, lofted leg spinner Dinanath Ramnarine for a straight six as he attempted to play himself back into form but Walsh slipped a perfect leg cutter through his defences to knock back his off stump.

Neil McKenzie, meanwhile, batted with perfect composure as his team mates found new ways to get themselves out. Mark Boucher (13) savagely hooked a Walsh bouncer to forward square leg where Garrick held an extraordinary catch while Pollock (24) was dismissed for just the third time in the series edging Dillon to wicketkeeper Jacobs.

McKenzie's fluent 45 from 99 balls ended when he fell lbw to leg spinner Dinanath Ramnarine, failing to connect a sweep. Dillon quickly wrapped the innings up before South Africa could mount a tail-end fightback.

Garrick counter-attacked in thrilling style when Donald and Pollock took the new ball, pulling and hooking the bouncers to remain at the crease at stumps.

The West Indian first innings ended soon after the start of play for the addition of 11 runs to its overnight 214 for nine wickets.

W.Indies 59 for two

KINGSTON, APRIL 21. West Indies was 59 for two in its second innings on day two of the fifth and final Test against South Africa here on Saturday. The batsman out were L. Garrick (27) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (7) while the not out batsmen were Chris Gayle (17) and Brian Lara (4).

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