PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa:West Indies vice-captain Dwayne Bravo said the team is still in control of the first Test match against South Africa despite a batting hiccup on the evening of the third day at the Sahara Oval, St. Georges.
Speaking after play ended yesterday, Bravo noted that the Windies have an overall lead of 359 runs and the Proteas would have to bat really well to reach that target.
"We had a hiccup there this evening. It was a simple case of having a bad session. We played very well for two-and-a-half days and we have been dominating this match. We believe we are still in a position to win the Test match and take the lead in the series as we head on to Cape Town," Bravo said. "We're still confident and we are looking forward to coming out here again tomorrow and pushing for a victory. We have the runs on the board and we know we have the ability to defend the total."
At the close, West Indies were 146 for eight in their second innings after dismissing South Africa for 195, with Bravo taking four for 24 with his clever medium-pace bowling. West Indies made 408 in their first innings.
The West Indies have never won a Test on South African soil and Bravo acknowledged this was the perfect opportunity for an historic win.
SA will use record as inspiration
PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa
(Reuters):
Jacques Kallis said South Africa would use their world record one-day run chase against Australia 21 months ago for inspiration when they go for victory in the first Test against West Indies.
The visitors finished the third day on Friday on 146 for eight, already 359 runs ahead. But Kallis was still confident South Africa could upset the odds, much like they did in March 2006 when scoring 438 for nine to beat Australia in Johannesburg to win the one-day series.
"Absolutely. Quite a few of this team were involved in the 438 game and we haven't lost the confidence and belief it gave us," Kallis told reporters.
South Africa's leading run-scorer said the home side were expecting to produce a more efficient batting display after being bowled out for 195 in their first innings by West Indies.
"We know we batted below par in the first innings and this is a chance to redeem ourselves and put that right," Kallis said. "It's still a good pitch, it's not like the surfaces we usually get at St. George's Park, and we're very positive. The best way to chase down a target is to play normally and it will be important not to worry about the required scoring rate, even if it's only around two runs an over."
