South Africa v West Indies: Amla, De Villiers lead South Africa charge

Proteas 340-3 at stumps on day one of first Test.

CENTURION: Captain Hashim Amla and his senior lieutenant AB de Villiers both hit centuries as South Africa took command of the first Test against the West Indies after early setbacks on the first day.

South Africa were 340-3 at stumps. Amla made 133 not out, while De Villiers hit an unbeaten 141. They added 283 for the fourth wicket, a South African record.

The pair came together with South Africa in a minor crisis after losing three quick wickets on 57. Much of the bowling was mediocre and the tourists suffered a blow when Kemar Roach, who was comfortably their best bowler, pulled up after bowling five balls of his 16th over half-an-hour after tea.

Roach was surprisingly not given the new ball and runs flowed freely from South African openers Alviro Petersen and Dean Elgar before Roach was brought into the attack after nine overs.

He made the first breakthrough in his third over when he had Petersen caught at first slip and followed up with the wicket of Faf du Plessis, who was caught behind. When Roach limped off he had taken two for 52.

Roach’s wickets sandwiched the dismissal of Elgar, who was caught at gully off left-armer Sheldon Cottrell. The three wickets fell in the space of 15 balls. Rain delayed the start by half-an-hour and the sky was overcast for almost the entire day but with the exception of Roach, the bowlers were not consistent enough to exploit any assistance from the conditions.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 18^th, 2014.

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