SA get batting practice in tame draw

The match ended in a draw but it was a much improved result for the West Indies after it was for the first time on the tour that they did not end up on the losing side against South Africa. After tasting defeats in two Twenty20s and five One-Day Internationals, West Indies put up a much-improved batting display after it had been their prime weakness all season. They managed 546 in their only innings after the Proteas made 543.

South Africa then batted on the last day and took their score to 235 for three at close on day five as a mere formality amid criticism from their captain Graeme Smith.

“This was not an exciting surface on which to play Test cricket,” said Smith.

“We were all looking for a good, even battle between bat and ball. Hopefully, Barbados [venue for third and final Test] will have a little bit more in the pitch, and it will be more of a fair challenge for both sides.”

Jacques Kallis - after a first-innings century - remained not out on 61 while A B de Villiers crawled to 31 as the match ended in a dull draw with South Africa leading the three-match series 1-0.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 24^th, 2010.