BRIDGETOWN, 24 April 2005 — AB de Villiers cracked his second Test century as South Africa pushed their lead into three figures on the third day of the third Test against West Indies yesterday.
South Africa were 417 for four in their first innings at tea, a lead of 121 runs. Jacques Kallis was 44 not out with Ashwell Prince unbeaten on four. Opener De Villiers scored a Test-best 178 before he edged a full delivery from fast bowler Reon King and was caught by wicketkeeper Courtney Browne. It was King’s 50th Test wicket and ended a third-wicket stand of 58 between De Villiers and Kallis.
De Villiers, whose previous best was 109 against England in Centurion in January, showed maturity and patience in his 10th Test. He batted for 10 hours, faced 351 balls and hit 15 fours and a six.
Ten balls before tea, Herschelle Gibbs pushed forward to off spinner Chris Gayle and was caught at slip by Dwayne Bravo for eight.
South Africa began the day on 253 for one and Boeta Dippenaar was more aggressive than De Villiers early on.
Dippenaar hit three boundaries in the first six overs while De Villiers faced 24 balls before adding to his overnight 122 not out.
None of the bowlers troubled De Villiers or Dippenaar unduly and it was left to substitute fielder Dwayne Smith to end the second-wicket stand at 143. Dippenaar was run out for 71 before lunch when Smith ran from fine leg to backward square leg and threw down the stumps at the non-striker’s end.
Smith was on the field for Bravo, who left holding a towel to his face after being struck by a ball driven into the covers by Dippenaar.
Bravo, who fielded in sunglasses, sustained a minor cut above his left eyebrow that did not require stitches.
He returned to the field after lunch.
