Botha rips through Windies

BRIDGETOWN // South Africa were 46 for two in reply to West Indies's modest total of 231 at the end of the first day's play in the third and final Test in Barbados yesterday. Their captain Graeme Smith was unbeaten on 35 at the close, with nightwatchman Paul Harris two not out for the visitors who are 1-0 up in the series. Alviro Petersen fell for one when he skied a pull to Shivnarine Chanderpaul off paceman Kemar Roach and Hashim Amla followed for five after cutting spinner Sulieman Benn's first ball straight to Brendan Nash.

Earlier, off-spinner Johan Botha was the chief destroyer with four for 56 as West Indies were bowled out in 73.5 overs. Dwayne Bravo top-scored with 61 and Narsingh Deonarine made 46. The fast bowler Dale Steyn picked up three for 37 including the prize wicket of Chris Gayle for 20 when the Windies captain played the ball on to his stumps. One of Botha's wickets came when he trapped Nash lbw for two.

Botha's lbw appeal was originally turned down by umpire Simon Taufel but South Africa called for a video referral and Nash was eventually given out. West Indies suffered a pre-match setback when Nelon Pascal pulled out with a neck problem and paceman Brandon Bess was called in for a shock debut. * Reuters