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Triple strike lifts West Indies against South Africa

By Colin BRYDEN
South Africa West Indies bowler Kemar Roach R unsuccesfully appeals for the wicket of South African batsman AB De VilliersL  on the first day of the first Test in Centurion on December 17, 2014.  By Gianluigi Guercia AFP
DEC 17, 2014 LISTEN
West Indies bowler Kemar Roach (R) unsuccesfully appeals for the wicket of South African batsman AB De Villiers(L) on the first day of the first Test in Centurion on December 17, 2014. By Gianluigi Guercia (AFP)

Centurion (South Africa) (AFP) - The West Indies claimed three wickets without conceding a run after ending a bright opening stand by South Africa on the first day of the first Test at SuperSport Park on Wednesday.

South Africa were 102 for three at lunch after being sent in to bat in heavily overcast conditions.

Rain delayed play by haf an hour but wayward bowling enabled South Africa to get off to a fast start.

Alviro Petersen hit the first two balls by Jerome Taylor for four as the fast bowler strayed down the leg side. Petersen and Dean Elgar put on 57 for the first wicket before Petersen was caught at first slip by Devon Smith off Kemar Roach for 27.

A drinks break was taken at the fall of the wicket and almost immediately afterwards Elgar (28) slashed a ball from Sheldon Cottrell to Marlon Samuels at gully.

Faf du Plessis was caught behind off Roach without scoring as three wickets fell for no runs in 15 balls.

South Africa?s two leading batsmen, captain Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers, saw their team through to lunch in an unbeaten partnership of 45.

With the conditions likely to favour pace bowling, South Africa opted to play four specialist fast bowlers and no spinner, with Kyle Abbott playing ahead of left-arm spinner Robin Peterson. Left-handed batsman Stiaan van Zyl was a new cap in the South African team.

The West Indies included left-arm spinner Suleiman Benn and picked three fast bowlers ? Roach, Taylor and Cottrell.

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