PROTEAS PACE ATTACK TOO HOT FOR WINDIES

Gros-Islet (Saint Lucia), June 12: South Africa’s relentless pace attack left the West Indies facing the prospect of an innings defeat inside three days as they limped to 82 for four, still needing 143 runs to make the tourists bat again, at stumps on the second day of the first Test in St Lucia on Friday.

The West Indies were routed for 97 — their lowest-ever total in a Test innings against the Proteas — after choosing to bat first on day one.

In their second innings on Friday, the home side again laboured to come to terms with the consistent quality and intensity of the visitors’ pacers and seamers.

Earlier, Quinton de Kock had flailed a flagging West Indies bowling attack on the way to an unbeaten 141 to lift South Africa to a first-innings total of 322 and a commanding first-innings lead of 225 runs.

He reached the century landmark with a six, one of seven in an innings embellished further with 12 fours off 170 deliveries.

Brief scores (Day 2): West Indies 97 & 82/4 (Chase 21 batting, Blackwood 10 batting) vs South Africa 322 (de Kock 141 n.o,, Holder 4/75).