Vernon Philander took four wickets and Morne Morkel three as West Indies was dismissed for 201 after tea on the third day of the first Test against South Africa at SuperSport Park on Friday. This left the visitors 351 runs behind South Africa’s first innings total of 552 for five declared.
A double strike by Philander ended a promising opening partnership by the West Indies, with both opening batsmen falling to the accurate fast-medium bowler.
His third wicket was the crucial one, that of West Indian veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul, and he dismissed Jermaine Blackwood in the last over before tea.
Kraigg Brathwaite and Devon Smith saw off South Africa’s new ball attack, putting on 72 for the first wicket before Philander dismissed them in successive overs.
Surviving an appealThe right-handed Brathwaite looked solid and well-organised from the start, but left-hander Smith survived a confident appeal for leg before wicket by Philander with his score on five in the second over. Smith was given not out by umpire Billy Bowden. South Africa sought a review. It showed the ball clipping the outside of leg stump and the decision stayed with the umpire.
Smith went on to make 35 before being caught behind off Philander’s fourth ball of a second spell.
He was given not out by umpire Bowden but Philander immediately asked for a review which showed a faint bottom edge as Smith played a cramped pull shot.
The catch was taken by A.B. de Villiers, who took over the gloves after regular wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock sprained his right ankle during the warm-up. Faf du Plessis was also not on the field, suffering from stomach cramps.
Brathwaite fell for 34 in Philander’s next over, edging a low catch to Hashim Amla at first slip. Philander took two for two in four overs in his second spell.
Kyle Abbott had Leon Johnson caught at cover for 33 after lunch and Morkel took the important wicket of Marlon Samuels, who chopped the ball on to his stumps after making 33, the fourth successive batsman to be dismissed in the thirties.
That left Chanderpaul holding West Indian hopes, but Philander returned to the attack and had the left-hander caught at second slip for 21, with Blackwood following in similar fashion four overs later. Morkel wrapped up the innings by removing Taylor and Cottrell.