West indies 408 South Africa 122-5: Chanderpaul continues glorious run

A disciplined century from Shivnarine Chanderpaul and an incisive spell by fast bowler Daren Powell put West Indies on top after two days of the first Test against South Africa here in Port Elizabeth yesterday.

Chanderpaul became the third player after fellow West Indian Everton Weekes and Zimbabwe's Andy Flower to score half-centuries in seven consecutive Test innings with 104 in his team's first innings total of 408. The left-hander faced 253 balls and hit 12 boundaries in an innings lasting more than six hours. Powell followed up with 3 for 40 as South Africa stumbled to 122 for 5 at the close.

After West Indies resumed on 281 for 4, fast bowler Makhaya Ntini struck in the seventh over of the day when he found the leading edge of Dwayne Bravo's bat. The ball looped up on the off-side where Ntini and Herschelle Gibbs, who was fielding in the gully, collided, but Ntini still clung on to dismiss Bravo for 12.

In Ntini's next over, a superb away swinger took the outside edge of Denesh Ramdin's bat and he was caught by wicketkeeper Mark Boucher for one.

Chanderpaul and Daren Sammy consolidated with a partnership of 57 that was ended after lunch when AB de Villiers swooped from the covers to run out Sammy for 38.

Chanderpaul was the ninth man out when fast bowler Andre Nel hit the top of his off stump. Nel ended the innings three balls later by having Fidel Edwards caught by Ashwell Prince in the gully for a duck.

Powell struck when Gibbs was caught behind without scoring to the fifth ball of South Africa's reply.

Jerome Taylor claimed his first wicket when Graeme Smith was trapped in front for 28. Twelve balls later, South Africa slipped to 53 for 3 after Jacques Kallis attempted to leave a delivery from Taylor and was smartly caught by Bravo at third slip for nought. Hashim Amla played over a full toss from Powell and was bowled for 29 before Prince and De Villiers stood firm in a stand of 33. Powell ended the partnership when Prince, who scored 20, drove at a wide delivery and was caught by Runako Morton at second slip.