Morne Morkel double-strike has West Indies reeling

Port Elizabeth: Two wickets in as many balls from fast bowler Morne Morkel just before the tea interval left West Indies reeling at 59 for two in reply to South Africa’s 417 for eight declared on day three of the second test at St George Park on Sunday. 

South Africa had battled for wickets early in the West Indian innings, but Morkel found the right length for the double-strike, much to the relief of the home side.

After striking Devon Smith (22) a sickening blow on the helmet, Morkel claimed his wicket -- caught at first slip by Hashim Amla with a delivery that moved away from the left-hander off the wicket.

And when Leon Johnson flashed at a ball that showed a hint of reverse-swing first up, he was snapped up by Faf du Plessis at third slip for a duck.

Kraigg Brathwaite (37) and Marlon Samuels (zero) now have the task of getting the tourists past the follow-on mark of 218, having not reached that total in either innings in the first test in Pretoria. 

Earlier, Dale Steyn bludgeoned his second test 50, and the fastest ever in Port Elizabeth, off 26 balls as he led the Proteas to 417 for eight, the declaration coming 25 minutes after lunch.

Steyn’s fireworks had ignited a South African innings that had stalled before lunch after the quick loss of key men Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers.

The world’s best fast bowler was eventually caught by Jason Holder off Sulieman Benn for 58 from 28 balls, in an innings that included four huge sixes.

A wet outfield delayed the start of play by an hour, and when South Africa resumed on 289 for three, they had hoped to push on quickly.

But the regular loss of wickets in the morning session halted their progress.

Amla struck two elegant fours off Jerome Taylor`s first over of the day to show intent but he fell leg before wicket to medium-pacer Holder with his score on 33.

De Villiers (10) was out in the next over to an unplayable delivery from Taylor that was arrowed towards leg-stump but straightened and ended up knocking his off-stump to the ground.

Debutant Temba Bavuma guided his first delivery in test cricket to third-man for four for a confident start but after facing 35 balls for his 10, the diminutive right-hander gloved a rising delivery from Gabriel to wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin to end his maiden test innings.

South Africa won the first test in Pretoria by an innings and 220 runs.