BRIDGETOWN, 23 April 2005 — Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers cruised to half centuries as South Africa continued to shut the West Indies out in the third Test in Bridgetown yesterday.

South Africa were 136 without loss at tea on the second day in reply to the West Indies’ first innings of 296.

Smith was 69 not out, which he scored off 146 balls with seven fours and a six.

The more aggressive De Villiers faced 132 balls for his unbeaten 65 and hit seven fours.

The West Indies wasted a chance to separate the openers in the sixth over after lunch with the total on 59 without loss.

Smith, on 25, sent an airborne drive off fast bowler Fidel Edwards into the covers, where Dwayne Bravo dived to his left but failed to hold a one-handed catch.

Other than that, Smith and De Villiers had little trouble accumulating runs on a sound pitch and against the West Indies’ unthreatening bowling.

Fast bowlers Andre Nel and Monde Zondeki needed just 20 deliveries between them to take three wickets and wrap up the West Indies innings, which resumed on 292 for seven.

Zondeki struck with the fourth ball of the day when he had Daren Powell caught behind by wicketkeeper Mark Boucher before a run had been added to the overnight score.

In Zondeki’s next over Edwards’ flailing attempt to hook a bouncer saw the ball plop into the hands of Boeta Dippenaar at short leg and he was out for two.

Nel ended the innings when Courtney Browne, who scored three, hooked a catch down the throat of Zondeki at fine leg.

Zondeki took four for 50, while Nel picked up four for 56. The start of South Africa’s first innings was delayed for several minutes after the ground staff used the light roller on the pitch between innings. South Africa’s assistant coach Vincent Barnes came onto the field while the light roller was in use and spoke to the ground staff.

ICC to Review Legality of Ponting’s High-Tech Bat

In London, a newly designed bat used by Australia captain Ricky Ponting will be discussed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) next month after an investigation into its legality.

An ICC statement yesterday said that Ponting would be allowed to continue to use the bat, which is reinforced by carbon graphite, but denied media reports that it had already been cleared. The world governing body said the matter was being looked into by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and the ICC Cricket Committee, chaired by former India captain Sunil Gavaskar.