South Africa have taken firm control of the second Test in Cape Town after taking a 78 run first innings lead and then reducing the Windies to 96/4 at stumps on Day 3. The Windies were hindered in their quest to claim a winning 2-0 series lead by key injuries. On yesterday's day 2, the Windies lost pacer Fidel Edwards due to a hamstring strain in his fifth over. Without Edwards, captain Chris Gayle had to rely on spinners Rawle Lewis and Marlon Samuels to complete the second day's overs after South Africa had been reduced to 131/5 in their first innings. Dwayne Bravo picked up some of the slack with an inspired spell, finishing with figures of 4-82 off 37 tight overs, but Ashwell Prince (98) and Mark Boucher (59) led South Africa to 321 for their 78 run lead. One wonders if the Windies had the raw pace of Edwards if they would have been able to finish off South Africa after they were pinned at 131/5.
Facing the 78 run deficit, the Windies had to open with Denesh Ramdin in place of Gayle as the latter's hamstring stiffened up while in the field. Andre Nel bowled a superb opening spell, but Ramdin and Daren Ganga managed to put on 59 for the first wicket. However the Windies lost wickets regularly after that at 60-2, 83-3 and 91-4. The fall of the fourth wicket led Gayle to come out and partner Shiv Chanderpaul until the end of the day's play. With only Bravo and the bowlers to come, and a lead of only 18, the Windies will need Chanderpaul, Gayle or both, to go on to make big scores. Otherwise South Africa will level the series tomorrow.
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