Cricket with Dalchand Bissoon

South Africa continue to prove they are the number one ranked ICC test team when they comfortably defeated West Indies by an inning and 220 runs in the first test which ended last Saturday at SuperSport Park, Centurian.

Dale Steyn, the 31-year-old South African fast bowler ranked number one in the Reliance ICC test rankings, ripped through the West Indies batting in their second innings, claiming six for 34 in 8.2 overs as West Indies slumped to 131 all out in 42,3 overs.

It was Steyn’s 25th five-wicket haul in test cricket since making his debut against England at Port Elizabeth in December 2004. He has now taken 389 wickets in 76 test matches.

Scores in the match: South Africa sent in to bat, scored 552 for five wickets declared with skipper Hashim Amla topscoring with 208. A.B. de Villiers scored 152 and S. van Zyl undefeated on 101, his maiden test century. Kemar Roach and Sulieman Benn took two wickets each.

West Indies in reply were all out for 201 with Devon Smith scoring 35; Kraigg Brathwaite 34; Marlon Samuels 33 and Leon Johnson 31, the principal scorers.

V. Philander took four for 29 and M. Morkel three for 55. West Indies following on were skittled out for 131 with Leon Johnson topscoring with 39. D. Steyn took six for 34 and M. Morkel two for 43.

The second test starts Dec. 26 at St. George’s Park, Port Elizabeth.

Meanwhile, Kemar Roach the West Indies pacer, has been ruled out of the Boxing Day test in Port Elizabeth after he suffered an ankle injury on the first day of the test. He bowled only 15.5 overs and did not bat in either of the West Indies innings.

Narsingh Deonarine, who was named Guyana Senior Domestic Cricketer of the Year last Friday at the Guyana Cricket Board Annual Awards ceremony, will replace fellow teammate Assad Fudadin on the West Indies squad for the ongoing three-match test series against South Africa.

Deonarine, the 31-year-old left-handed middle-order batsman, is also regarded as genuine right-arm off-spinner and has appeared for the West Indies in 18 test matches.

Fudadin suffered a fracture of the right little finger during the warm-up on the opening day of the test.