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Sunday, April 3, 2005
Day one: The 1st Test Match between South Africa and West Indies saw West Indies reach a score of 347 for 3. Captain Shiv Chanderpaul, on debut, remained on 102 not out and opener Wavell Hinds on 188 not out. This score seemed more remarkable given the absence of stars Brian Lara, Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan. South Africa seemed unprepared to work hard in hot humid Guyana.
Day two: If the first day seemed remarkable, the second challenged for position. West Indies went on to end the day with a declaration at 543 for five with Chanderpaul on 202 not out. Earlier, Hinds also completed his double century before being fourth out. However, day 2 was different in that the rate of scoring slowed markedly from day one. This may have been as a result in changes in the pitch and a preview of things to come.
Day three: Even more remarkable was the third day. The rain accounted for most of the third day. But once play started, the West Indies continued their domination of South Africa by taking 6 wickets for the lowly score of 130. Now, South Africa faces the task of avoiding an innings defeat against a team rated, almost, last among test playing nations. Fast bowlers, Powell, Collins and King took 2 wickets each. South Africa contemplated a whitewash before arriving in the Caribbean. Now, they need to revisit the paint store.
Day Four: The unexpected has happened. South Africa faces an inning defeat at worse and a draw at best. At lunch they trailed by 353 runs. Starting the day at 130 for 6 wickets, South Africa succumbed to steady fast bowling at 188 all out. Test debutante. Deonarine took the last wicket in his first over of his first test match, to set up a real fight for survival.
Batting a second time, South Africa sought only to survive. They pushed and prodded their way to 85 for two at the end of the day, a daunting 270 behind West Indies score. Both South African openers fell after tea. One to Collins, the other to King and both were bowled. This may be an indication of the uncertainty in the bounce of the wicket and rocky times ahead for South Africa. This new look West Indies team should come to the ground for the 5th and final day with renewed vitality and a mission in mind. Their task is to take eight wickets quickly. South Africas task is to stay at the wicket until the end and if they fail, they may have to stay for real
Day Five: The 1st test match ended in a draw at Bourda. The West Indies failed to bowl out South Africa on the final day. Starting the final day 270 behind and 8 wickets in hand, the South Africans stayed and stayed and stayed at the wicket until the end. Jacques Kallis completed his 21st test century in the process and with help from Hershelle Gibbs .
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