CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) – Leon Johnson and Denesh Ramdin hit half-centuries as the West Indies proved the equal of South Africa on day one of the third and final cricket Test at Newlands today.
The West Indies were prone to devastating batting collapses in the first two Tests, but made a steady 276 for six after winning the toss and electing to bat first.
The biggest disappointment for the tourists was their batsmen’s inability to convert promising scores into something more meaningful, with Devon Smith and Marlon Samuels dismissed just short of 50, and Johnson and Ramdin falling shortly after reaching the mark.
There could be less criticism of the collective effort, which was absent in previous Tests when wholesale collapses were common.
“It would have to be our best day of the series,” Johnson said. “We’re not totally happy about guys not carrying on to get the three-figure scores, but as a team we have to be happy to get to 270 for the loss of six wickets.
“It’s the first time in the series that we’ve batted out 90 overs so we’re pretty happy with that.”
Offspinner Simon Harmer’s start to his Test career was the highlight of the day for South Africa, as he replaced legspinner Imran Tahir in the home side and grabbed three key wickets on his way to figures of three for 67.
Harmer was picked with one eye on the future, with South Africa playing its last Test before tours of spin-friendly Bangladesh and India, and did his prospects no harm.
Summarised scores: West Indies 276-6 in 90 overs (Leon Johnson 54, Denesh Ramdin 53, Devon Smith 47, Jermaine Blackwood 45 n.o., Marlon Samuels 43; Simon Harmer 3-67, Dale Steyn 2-59) vs South Africa.
