WI vs SA, Day 3: Steyn and Morkel demolish West Indies

Replying to South Africa’s respectable total of 352, West Indies were bowled out cheaply for a meagre total of 102 giving the visitors a massive lead of 240 runs in the first innings of the first test between these two nations here at Trinidad. West Indies batting line up was completely demolished by pacer Dale Steyn who picked up 5 for 29 and in doing so also became the 4th fastest bowler to reach 200 wickets after Clarrie Grimmett, Dennis Lillee and Waqar Younis.

Dale Steyn: wrecker-in-chief

Steyn was accompanied by fellow pacer Mornie Morkel who took 3 wickets as West Indies were reduced at 12 for 3. Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Narsingh Deonarine defied the visitors briefly with a 59-run fourth-wicket stand, but Steyn then tore through the middle order, reverse-swinging the ball at high pace as six wickets fell for just four runs in 28 deliveries. Denesh Ramdin and no 11 Nelon Pascal helped the hosts cross 100 runs with a 27 run partnership.

Except Chanderpaul, Deonarine and Ramdin, no West Indian crossed double digits. With huge lead of 40 runs in the first innings South Africa have put themselves in such a position from where they cannot lose this match. This is the first match of the 3 test series. The two sides also play Tests in St. Kitts (June 18-22) and Barbados (June 26-30).

South Africa have dominated West Indies in Tests since their re-entry into international cricket. They have won 14, and lost three of the 22 matches between the two sides, and two of the wins came at Port of Spain in 2001 and 2005 in the two Tests the sides have played here.