'It's hard work and dedication'

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

Sulieman Benn continued to prove his value to West Indies on the second day of the third and final Test against South Africa yesterday at Kensington Oval, capturing four wickets for 59 runs from 31 overs.

Benn has emerged from his disciplinary problems at the tail-end of the preceding one-day international series, when he was controversially sent off the field by West Indies captain Chris Gayle, to become the side's leading bowler in the Test series so far with 13 wickets at 33.69 apiece.

He has indicated that episode is well and truly behind him and he is focused on helping West Indies gain a series-levelling victory in his hometown.

"It's hard work and dedication," he said. "My task at hand is for the team. It's always nice to go out there and perform for your country.

"The little crowd support you get is always important and with good team spirit, your players backing you, it helps."

Still a chance

Benn felt West Indies had let South Africa off the hook, after the visitors slipped to 145 for five, but he reckons there was still a chance of West Indies to make a fight of it.

"A.B. deVilliers and Ashwell Prince put on a hundred-run partnership, when five wickets were down, but the pitch kind of got better for batting as the innings progressed," he said. "We tried our best, but it just didn't happen at that time."

It did not help that the West Indies did not challenge a couple of umpiring decisions under the new review system.

Benn did not make much of a fuss about two reviews that might have gone West Indies' way, and cut short de Villiers.

TV replays seemed to suggest de Villiers was caught behind on eight off Brandon Bess, and on 42, he appeared lbw to Benn, but West Indies failed to refer any of the decisions to the TV umpire.

"It's a touch and go situation," said Benn about the umpire decision review system. "Either it would go in your favour, or it won't. That is just something that happens. We still have to get on with the job."

Benn remained confident that the West Indies could still press for a victory, though the situation looks unfavourable.