Chanderpaul, Nash keep Windies alive

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, (CMC):

Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Brendan Nash transformed a seemingly hopeless position for the West Indies with purposeful hundreds in the second Test against South Africa yesterday at Warner Park.

Chanderpaul was undefeated on 151, and Nash scored 114, as the West Indies, replying to South Africa's first innings total of 543 for six declared, reached 424 for four at the close on the third day.

The pair, similar in style, batted resolutely, and made full use of the flat pitch to add 220 for the fourth wicket to truly put the South Africans on the back-foot for the first time in the series.

Chanderpaul has so far struck 10 fours and one six from 264 balls in 347 minutes, and Nash smote 14 fours and one six from 148 balls in 199 minutes.

Chanderpaul and Nash gained solid support from Narsingh Deonarine with 65 and captain Chris Gayle with 50.

22nd Test hundred

The Guyanese reached his 22nd Test hundred, when he square drove his 188th delivery from Dale Steyn for two.

Nash arrived at his second Test hundred from 129 balls, when he crunched a short ball from Steyn through square leg for his 12th four.

Chanderpaul languidly strolled down the pitch, and lofted left-arm spinner Paul Harris over long-on for his only six to ensure West Indies avoided the follow-on.

After the start was delayed due to rain, West Indies continued from their overnight total of 86 for one, and reached 126 for two at lunch.

In an eventful morning period, Gayle was the only West Indies wicket to fall, after he reached 50 for the second time in the series.

Chanderpaul joined compatriot Deonarine, and for the remainder of the session, continued to battle away.

After the interval, West Indies suffered an early setback, when Deonarine too, gave his hand away. He started to play loosely, and Steyn bowled him off the inside edge.

This brought Nash to the crease, and following a few testing short-pitched deliveries from the South African fast bowlers, he settled down, and carried the West Indies to tea on 236 for three.

Chanderpaul reached his 50 from 114 balls, when he swept Harris from outside the off-stump through square leg for his sixth four.

After the break, Nash brought up his 50 from 76 balls with a single through square leg off Alviro Petersen.

The two passed their milestones, but Nash was run out, when he cut Tsotsobe to backward point, and tried to steal a single.

Morkel has been the most successful South African bowler with two for 87 from 21 overs.