West Indies v South Africa (4th Test)

CAPE TOWN (South Africa)- In a series bereft of high scores and where anything above 50 was almost a red carpet event, Daryll Cullinan finally laid to rest the myth that scoring centuries was as difficult as negotiating Table Mountain without a compass and an idiots guide to mountain climbing.

Until today the highest individual score of by any batsman for either South Africa or the West Indies was 87 by Jonty Rhodes at Kingsmead over Christmas. But the advent of the New Year changed all that, although it did not escape notice by some that it might have had something to do with the figure 99 being the affix of the preceding number of 19.

When Cullinan, repeating his three-figure efforts against Sri Lanka at this venue last March put together another skillfully crafted century, it was as a matter of statistical interest his sixth at Test level, a nearly packed Newlands rejoiced.

They had more to cheer about when in the last over of the day, bowled by SOS man Ottis Gibson, Cullinan's partner, Jacques Kallis, put together a boundary which left no doubt who was the crowds' favourite. Kallis had arrived at the crease after only one ball had been bowled on this first day of the fourth Test, and did his bit in what was later said to be ``a worthwhile job for South Africa''.

Kallis may have been slower reaching his fourth Test three-figure score with a well executed push off Gibson for two, but he anchored the effort and allowed the free-flowing Cullinan get on with it.

Apart from the Shivnarine Chanderpaul-Brian Lara stint at Kingsmead in what was a desperate rearguard there has been no partnership in this series which has been as commanding.

While South Africa will feel some swelling of pride the way Kallis and Cullinan batted, it was on a surface made for run-scoring and it was hard work for the tourist, already 3-0 down in the series and no way back. But a close of play score of 282 for two was a solid effort after Herschelle Gibbs reached the 40s again before he lost his wicket on the stroke of lunch; with 74 on the board and two wickets in the bag for the tourists.

After that it was four hours and two sessions of hard labour for the Windies. Cullinan, on 122 and Kallis 102 managed to add a record 208 for the third wicket against a bowling attack which limped along and looked as tired as they were in Durban just a few days ago.

What was impressive about Cullinan's innings was the way he approached it: positive and with the sort of aggression which has been largely missing for the first five innings he has batted this series. Up to today he has managed 97 with a top-score of 40 and an average of 19.40; not at all what a batsman of his class should have managed going into the fourth game of a five-match series.

Interestingly Kallis was well ahead of Cullinan at one stage of the afternoon. There was a string of cover-drives and pulls in his first 50, some strokes of matchless entertainment. One mid-wicket pull off Nixon McLean must have made the tall Antiguan ponder his future at this level of the game. All the while Cullinan was putting his strokes together and the 40, etched together at Kingsmead six days earlier was cast aside for this far richer tapestry of fine footwork and strokeplay.

At the end of the 70th over Cullinan was on 72, still five runs behind Kallis yet closing in fast on his partner. A classic cover drive off McLean left no room for the covers to move as it cannoned past them. Kallis went to 81 with a four off the next over and looked well on his way to three figures. But Cullinan, rotating the strike with careful manipulation was soon ahead, taking 12 runs off Dillon's 16th over with a drive, a pull and two smartly placed twos with tuck behind square strokes.

It was Carl Hooper's luck to bowl the over in which Cullinan fashioned a fluent cover-drive to take him past Rhodes score of 87, which also saw the partnership reach 151 with Cullinan's contribution being 89 to Kallis' 55. By now the race to three figures was settled. Cullinan breezed along with the sort of polished stroke play in a repertoire seemingly culled from Sir Donald Bradman's coaching masterpiece.

The crowd enjoyed it though, all except for those in the members stand, that ivory tower of emptiness which is a disgrace added to the architectural nightmare it has become since Newlands was reshaped. As for partnerships the pair eliminated records one by one, and although Cullinan reached his century well before Kallis, the local son was given a standing ovation when he reached three figures at last.

Before that Cullinan and Kallis had enjoyed themselves, especially when Curtly Ambrose was removed from the attack after spells of six and seven overs apiece. It was a bit like watching a world class act at one end and the equivalent of the Barbados 2nds at the other. Even when Gibbs was batting in the pre-lunch session the batsmen were at ease with themselves and their game.

Gibbs picked off four boundaries with two classic drives - one through the covers and the second square. It was a pity that he again missed a long-waited for half-century; yet there was the impression the West Indies have worked him out.

When the new ball was taken with the South Africans score 245 for two and Ambrose was in action, the tall Antiguan showed fire and spirit. Lacking support at the other end meant he had to carry the burden alone. The enticing though of four of Ambrose style and quality bowling in rotation was the trick which made the West Indies great in the 1970s and 1980s. The paucity in their bowling attack, however, showed how much they missed Courtney Walsh.

What also did not help was the shoulder injury to Franklyn Rose while Gibson, summoned on New Year's day was a disappointing replacement and added little spice to the Windies bowling. It looked as threadbare as it has done during this troubled tour.

The crowd enjoyed it though, all except for those in the members stand, that ivory tower of emptiness which is a disgrace added to the architectural nightmare it has become since it was reshaped. As for partnerships the pair eliminated records one by one and although

Cullinan reached his century well before Kallis, the local son was given a standing ovation as he thrashed a boundary off Gibson in the last over of the day.

Day 2: West Indies on the wrack again

CAPE TOWN - As news filtered through today that Vivian Richards may be the latest to join the list of West Indians to been knighted for services to the game the touring team's management no doubt wished they had some one of his calibre to bolster their fragile batting which has again failed a searching test of character.

This much became evident at Newlands where the tourists face an another four day defeat as South Africa look to go 4-0 up in the series and a white wash (or colour rinse) loomed large, despite the absence of Allan Donald who has a left hamstring strain and there is some doubt about his fitness for today's play.

As the tourists limped to a pathetic 89 for four at the close and 118 runs shy of avoiding the follow on in reply to South Africa's 406 for eight, declared. Only the vice-captain, Carl Hooper managed to hold the innings together with some aggressive stroke play during an undefeated innings of 53. At least it lifted some of the gloom in a camp where even a silver lining is quickly tainted by a black cloud.

Just as they destroyed themselves in Port Elizabeth and Durban, the batting magic and flair which was to have brought large dollops of entertainment to South Africans who have admired their skills from a distance so did the top-order go into self destruct mode again. Although no one can take away the ominous presence of Donald's pace and fire, which did much to reduce the tourists to 14 for three in the ninth over of the innings, there was again some indisciplined batting.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul who batted with such dashing style at Kingsmead a week ago, went to a brilliant catch by Jonty Rhodes at point: the sort which turn a game and give the hosts a decided edge.

As teenager Darren Ganga helped Hooper in his quest to rescue something resembling a fighting chance in a partnership which was worth 55 at the close, there were signs that Hooper's confidence had rubbed off on the younger player.

Yet no chapter of batting accidents could account for West Indies captain Brian Lara being forced back on to his stumps by Donald to the extent that he trod on his wicket as patriotic Newlands erupted with a sea of flags in the popular restricted oaks area of the ground.

Yet Lara, switching tactics yesterday, did much to put pressure on South Africa's aims of building a bigger first innings total than the eventual 406 for eight declared. It was careful manipulation of bowling changes and field placings which restricted South Africa to scoring only 116 runs for the loss of six wickets. Yet there were times when centurions Daryll Cullinan and Jacques Kallis seemed to have lost the command as well as the communication of Saturday's batting blitz.

Lara's tactics to frustrate run-scoring opportunities, supported by the best fielding display of the tour, did much to strangle South Africa's run-scoring opportunities. The best examples were Jacques Kallis and Cullinan.

Cullinan, so aggressive and fluent on the first day which saw him end on 122 not out, gave the impression he had other things on his mind as the batting totally lost its way once Rhodes was bowled by Hooper for 34 which ended a partnership of 64. While Rhodes did his best to rotate the strike, Cullinan seemed more interested in establishing a test career best innings spread over seven hours.

Had he showed a little more purpose he could have put together the first home double century by a South African batsman since readmission. That would have been a performance of which to be proud.

His 168 surpassed the 153 not out against India at Eden Gardens, Calcutta, two seasons ago. Where as, however, he led the assault on the first day, he looked out of touch. Then again anyone prepared to bat for such long stretches no doubt had lapses of concentration which cost him his wicket in the end when Nixon McLean got one to kick for the delivery to hit the glove and Radley Jacobs took the fourth of his four catches.

Cullinan whipped the odd ball through gaps at either mid-wicket or the covers and turned the ball behind square.

It was such a stroke which brought him his 150 when he turned Ottis Gibson into the gaping hole left by Lara behind umpire Dave Orchard.

After that he added only another boundary to his total, taking the tally to 20 in an innings which expressed a day of frustration and disappointment.

Day 3: Cronje holds the aces

CAPE TOWN - It what has become a rarity in South Africa these summers a test is likely to be stretched into a fifth day, and against what is the weakest batting side to visit the country since readmission.

Although what target Hansie Cronje plans to set the West Indies could be decided around lunch today.

With a first innings lead of 194 and an over night total of 91 for three for an overall lead of 285, a 370 plus figure would not be too surprising after some Caribbean batting backbone was finally evident at Newland's yesterday.

Cronje did not give too much away during the media briefing. Sure he was disappointed that South Africa put down four catches - two off his own bowling - but with uncertainty about Allan Donald's fitness created a problem. ``We have three and a half bowlers, and you can county me as the half,'' he said. ``But it is going to be hard work to win this match at this point.''

South Africa ended the third day at 91 for three with Cronje not out on 32 with Jacques Kallis 28 as they revived the innings after a top-order blip saw then slip to 31 for three with the wickets falling on the same score.

Not that it has been a memorable match for Gary Kirsten. A first ball duck in the first innings was not the ideal way to start the New Year while his elder brother, Peter, commiserated with him on Saturday night after the first day's play.

``The sun usually shines brighter next time around,'' said the Northerns coach of his younger brother's efforts on a surface still good for making runs. Well, the sun shone again at Newlands and others made runs, but after scoring five in 40 minutes, Kirsten (minor) departed, sad and forlorn and wondering from where his next run is coming.

His was the second wicket to fall in a period of six balls as first Herschelle Gibbs departed to an inside edge catch to Radley Jacobs, followed by Kirsten and then Daryll Cullinan, trapped lbw for a duck the second ball he faced from Nixon McLean. It meant that Cronje had some run-making to do and with Jacques Kallis also digging in, they had added run by the close for the fourth wicket.

No doubt the tourists thought Christmas and New Year celebrations had been rolled into one during those five minutes as the small supporters contingent broke out the Barbados and Trinidad flags. They had little to cheer about this match as well, although Carl Hooper's innings of 86 during a rescue operation which lasted almost three and a half hours, spread calm as he organised a fightback from 34 for four in the 20th over of the innings. To climb out of that grave and avoid the follow on was due to a little more character and style than the batting presentation of an amoeba which has been the habit of the Windies batsmen so far this series. So aggressive the night before Hooper was more sedate and batted with care and attention. He wasn't prepared to take too many risks with the follow-on target still 118 runs and much hard work still needed. When he departed, through a superb bit fielding by Cronje, his innings had at least given the lower-order a little confidence.

The South African skipper, reflexes razor sharp and alert, chased from mid-off to deep extra cover and had the ball back to Mark Boucher to have Hooper run out by the narrowest of margins.

At 146 for six, and on the strength of their previous efforts to take on the South African bowling, the 207 needed was still a long way off. It was left to Jacobs and Ottis Gibson to tuck the innings under their collective armpit and do much to wipe out the deficit. When Gibson departed for a purposeful innings of 37, the follow on was safe.

Whether Cronje would have asked the visitors to follow on had they failed in their cause was another matter.

With Donald injured the chances are he would not have pressed the follow on and this allowed the visitors to open the bowling with McLean and Gibson as there is doubt whether Curtly Ambrose will take further part in the match.

Day 4: Kallis blows hot and cold

CAPE TOWN - Fast scoring has not been a noted strong point during Jacques Kallis short test career but last night the talented Western Province batsman must be soundly kicking himself for dawdling a little too long over his innings against the West Indies.

Likeable he may be, and cheery as well, but the 23-year-old all-rounder, all too often likened as the modern Eddie Barlow, had only himself to blame for failing to join a short elite list of South African batsmen who have scored two centuries in a test.

While he may have been happy with the second prize of taking wickets in the West Indies second innings, which barring a miracle is another lost cause for the tourists, joining teammate Gary Kirsten would have at least put him in line for the man of the match award.

At the close of another traumatic day for the tourists they were 93 for six, hoping for rain or some other miracle to save further humiliation as they need a further 328 to win an no batting at all left in their search of the 421 needed to win.

Even Paul Adams, so out of form in this match, got into the act in the last over of the day when he caught and bowled Brian Lara for 33 after a valiant but vain battle to save his side. Gone were the flashy strokes and flamboyance of previous games. But it was not going to last.

With Shivnarine Chanderpaul Shaun Pollock's 117th test wicket in the previous over, it was all over for the tourists.

And this after what we have come to expect in terms of a toporder collapse.

As for Kallis he knew when he resumed on 75 after lunch that it was all a matter of time. But he frittered away too many scoring opportunities.

In the end, however, Hansie Cronje, could no longer delay the declaration which had been omnipresent since lunch and which Kallis would have known would come. As it was Kallis was told there was a cut off time.

``I you want the century you will have to get on with it,'' he was told as a succession of batsmen came and went after lunch and South Africa's second innings reached the stage where Cronje would say ``Enough, guys, we have a match to win.''

He was left high and dry on 88 as South Africa declared their second innings closed at 226 for seven, leaving the already woebegone tourists seeking 421 runs for victory and 130 overs for South Africa to bowl out their almost impotent opponents.

Staring the day with 28 to his name Kallis was quite happy to let Cronje get on with the job of putting runs on the board. Apart from scoring his first half century of the series, Cronje rotated the strike nicely, taking the game away from the tourists with his enterprising batting. It was the sort of lesson of which Kallis, so wise when it comes to strokeplay selection, should have taken note.

They added 94 for the fourth wicket which salvaged the innings which had stumbled to 31 for three on Monday and the Windies no doubt sniffed the taste of a possible upset, even without Curtly Ambrose.

After lunch he spent 53 balls scoring only 13 runs: not the sort of statistic to place him in the South African batting hall of fame alongside Kirsten, Alan Melville and Bruce Mitchell. In fact Melville and Mitchell scored theirs in the 1947 series against England in England. Kirsten's was at Eden Gardens, Calcutta, in 1996/97. The nearest to scoring two hundreds in a test in South Africa was Pieter van der Bijl, against England in the timeless test at Kingsmead 60 years ago. After scoring 125 in the first innings he was dismissed in the 90s in the second.

Enough of statistics, however, Kallis should have known better. He had a lucky escape when 82 as the drive straight back at the bowler Ottis Gibson hit an outstretched hand and bounced up out of reach. To allow him to fritter away an opportunity which may not come his way again is one of the quirks of life in a sport where you need a lot of luck.

No doubt he is still asking himself how, after batting nine minutes short of five hours he was unable to get another three-figure total in his century credit column.

He was quite chuffed when he had Junior Murray trapped lbw for seven when he shared the new ball with Shaun Pollock. And when four overs later he saw Daryll Cullinan take one of his speciality jack in the box slip catches to get rid of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, he grinned some more. Then he enticed Carl Hooper to commit himself to drive too far from his body and the result was edging the ball into his stumps. For the West Indians, however, it was the same old story. Their batting was soon in disarray and they will have to find an answer to their top-order problem as they face the final test at SuperSport Centurion, and starting on January 15.

Day 5: Kallis joins elite all-rounders Test club

CAPE TOWN - It says much for stamina and perseverance for a player once described as a ``spare parts all-rounder'' to twice come close to joining an elite band of test players and then finally writing his name in the history books.

For Jacques Kallis, that fifth wicket yesterday was the culmination of what has been an incredible all-round performance in a test as the South African juggernaut rolled up another comprehensive victory by 149 runs over the West Indies at breezy, chilly Newlands.

Apart from becoming only the eighth player to score a century, a fifty and then take five wickets in a test, it makes him the second South African to get his name in a list of players which includes Aubrey Faulkner, who did it against England 80 years ago at the Wanderers.

Not that the record came easily. He was forced to work for it at a ground where a gusting south-easterly, quaintly known as the Cape Doctor - no doubt for the medical bills it helps run up - gave a new if chilly meaning to the term ``Windies'' tour of South Africa.

Apart from collecting the man of the match award in front of his adoring home fans, Kallis helped South Africa to their victory with more than enough time to spare for an early drink or two by those of the team who sip anything stronger than orange juice.

Delivering a spell of 15 overs , and broken only by lunch, all from the Wynberg End, Kallis kept one end going to end with five for 90, adding to his scores of 110 and 88 not out, spread over 12 hours of batting time. Quite ``a solid effort'' by a 23-year-old who, as he was given the ball for his 28th over, was told by the captain, Hansie Cronje: ``Okay, this is your last.''

Up to that stage his best haul had been the four wickets taken at Lord's: at a cost of 23 runs, it was the sort of bowling which helped win a match. Among others to achieve the feat are two Indians of a particularly fine vintage, Polly Umrigar and Vinoo Mankad, and as should have been expected, Sir Garfield Sobers, Ian Botham and Wasim Akram.

As it is the Windies tail more than merely wagged during the first two sessions. It gave the South African bowling quite a vigorous shake as the score climbed from 93 for six to 271 - the last four wickets adding 178. At the start of the day the prediction, based on the previous day's excuse for a batting exercise, was that the game would be all over in 25 minutes - or at least before lunch.

As Shaun Pollock began his 25th over and the last wicket between Ridley Jacobs and Mervyn Dillon lingered on longer than an hour, the partnership had already added the sort of bite which might have made South Africa wonder if the agony was ever going to end. Dillon's innings of 36 was the second highest by a West Indies No11, although why he is batting so low in the order is a matter for argument.

Relationships between the West Indies captain, Brian Lara, and coach Malcolm Marshall are far from amicable at present, and it may have something to do with the current bickering spilling over outside the confines of the team's dressing room.

There was no capitulation this time as Jacobs and his lower-order brethren gave the top-order a lesson in good old fashioned back to the wall blood and guts. It was the sort of genuine tail wag which sets records. The 10th wicket of 65 upended the 49 set by New Zealand's Artie Dick and Frank Cameron in 1961/62 as the highest against South Africa at Newlands. And the score was the Windies highest in this series.

When the seventh wicket, that of Ottis Gibson run out with the help of Jonty Rhodes, for 13, the end seemed nigh. But the fight continued and when the end finally came, Jacobs a 31-year-old making his debut this series top-scoring with 69 after more than three hours batting.

Nixon McLean also indulged in his usual fun of helping the ball over the fence: one six ended up in the railway yard to bring up the 50 partnership. When it was all over and Kallis followed off Jacobs and Dillon, there was no bubbly flowing as there had been in Durban. And with Pat Symcox now residing in Kimberley the cans of sponsors products was almost left untouched.

Then again, Newlands lived up to its reputation of supporting even this test of lost causes for the tourists. More than 65 000 paid and that's one in the eye for ``up market'' Wanderers and down at heel St George's Park where they would battle to attract any thing above 5 000 a day, even at half price.

Pity about the arctic conditions in the most exposed media centre in the country and the tiresome ``wave'' in which the crowd missed some excellent performances through this mindless excuse for a fitness exercise.