CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) – AB de Villiers’ withering assault on the West Indies bowling attack earned him a 21st Test century and South Africa a healthy first-innings lead on day three of the third cricket match at Newlands on today.
De Villiers struck 148 from 194 balls before he became the last man out as South Africa were bowled out for 421 on the stroke of tea, giving the host a first-innings lead of 92 runs.
South Africa’s intentions to move the game along were clear when they began the day on 227 for three with De Villiers on 32, as he hit his first ball to the boundary before going to his half-century in 70 deliveries.
The only way the West Indies were able to contain South Africa was by chipping away at the other batsmen, starting with Hashim Amla who added just eight runs to his overnight score of 55 before a change of ball helped Jason Holder find some movement off the seam to have the batsman caught behind.
The West Indies took the second new ball eight overs later, and it had the desired effect when rookie batsman Temba Bavuma’s indecision saw him play on off the bowling of Shannon Gabriel for 15.
However De Villiers motored on, and enjoyed a purple patch after lunch when he added 28 runs in 15 balls.
That included 16 runs from one Marlon Samuels over, which saw South Africa move past the West Indies total of 329 and De Villiers go to his century in 144 balls.
Despite De Villiers’ brutal hitting, the West Indies were able to have a productive second session thanks to two run-outs and two wickets from Samuels.
At 384 for five South Africa looked set for a huge total, but the offspinner trapped Stiaan van Zyl lbw for 33 before Vernon Philander was run out without scoring in the next over.
That pattern repeated with Simon Harmer out lbw to Jerome Taylor for ten and Dale Steyn run out for a duck, before De Villiers had one last hurrah and then perished trying to hit Samuels over long-on.
