Kraigg Brathwaite and Marlon Samuels hit centuries in a record stand for the West Indies on the fourth day of the second Test against South Africa at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, yesterday.
On another rain-affected day, the West Indies reached 245-4 at tea in reply to South Africa’s first-innings total of 417-8 declared.
Brathwaite made 106 and Samuels hit 101, before both were out in successive overs.
They put on 176, a record third-wicket partnership for the West Indies against South Africa, beating the 160 by Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Brian Lara in Durban in 1998-1999.
Rain and a wet outfield delayed the start of play until after lunch and there was a stoppage of almost half an hour after 11.3 overs had been bowled after lunch.
A light drizzle started to fall soon after lunch, but the cricket continued until it intensified, with umpires Billy Bowden and Paul Reiffel calling a halt.
With most of the second day having been washed out, the chances of a result were receding rapidly, with the West Indies making a solid reply to South Africa’s first-innings total.
Brathwaite and Samuels were subjected to some hostile short-pitched bowling from around the wicket by Morne Morkel, who took both West Indies wickets on Sunday.
Samuels ducked into a bouncer and was struck a glancing blow on the back of his helmet, but both batsmen looked reasonably comfortable.
Samuels made 101 off 160 balls with 14 fours and a six before he was trapped leg before wicket by Vernon Philander.
Brathwaite’s 106 was made off 186 deliveries with 12 fours. He fell four balls after Samuels, edging Morkel to second slip.
Morkel, the pick of the bowlers, had taken three for 55 at tea.
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