Prince and de Villiers put South Africa back on track

PORT OF SPAIN: Ashwell Prince and AB de Villiers revived South Africa with an unbroken stand of 83 for the sixth wicket in the opening Test against the West Indies. Prince was unbeaten on 42 with de Villiers scoring an unbeaten 40 as the South Africans reached 190 for five in their first innings at lunch on the second day at the Queen’s Park Oval.

De Villiers and left-hander Prince gave some much-needed backbone to the Proteas’ innings after they had slumped to 107 for five in the first hour on the second day.

The two batsmen used their feet well to defy the West Indies spin-bowling pair of Sulieman Benn and Test newcomer Shane Shillingford on a pitch that has offered the two slow bowlers generous turn and bounce.

De Villiers got off the mark with a lofted four to long-on off Shillingford, and struck three boundaries.

One of Prince’s earliest strokes was also a lofted drive to long-on off Benn for the first of his two fours, and he also carted Shillingford over long-off for a six.

South Africa, who began the day on their overnight total of 70 for three after only 34 overs were possible on the first day, suffered an early blow when night-watchman Paul Harris was caught at cover for 10 off Benn in the fifth over of the day.

Even on the first day, Shillingford opened the account for the hosts when he had South African captain Graeme Smith for 23. But a bigger wicket came five runs later when the Proteas lost their in-form batsman Hashim Amla to Benn. Alviro Petersen was the debutant Shillingford’s second wicket on the first day as South Africa struggled.

The South Africa batsmen became bogged down again by Benn and Shillingford, who trapped Jacques Kallis leg-before playing back and across to a well-pitched delivery for 28.

The two sides will play their second Test in St Kitts from June 18 and then head to Barbados for the third on June 26.

In Tests, South Africa have dominated West Indies since their re-entry into international cricket following international isolation. West Indies have only won one series against South Africa - the first between the two countries in 1991 - which was a one-off Test.

Overall, South Africa have won 14 while losing only three of the 22 Tests between the two sides. Two of the wins came at Port of Spain in 2001 and 2005 when both teams played two Tests here.

Published in the Express Tribune, June 12^th, 2010.