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South Africa A v West Indians, East London, 2nd day

Ontong hundred puts hosts in command

Cricinfo staff

December 20, 2007

South Africa A 351 for 7 (Ontong 109*, van Wyk 89, Duminy 62, McKenzie 54, Bravo 3-43) lead West Indians 193 by 158 runs
Scorecard

Dwayne Bravo took three wickets but South Africa A were in a commanding position at close on the second day in East London © AFP

The only preparation for the visiting West Indian team ahead of the Test series against South Africa has hardly gone to plan. On the first day, the West Indians were rolled over by a Monde Zondeki five-for, and their anguish increased on the second following a hundred from Justin Ontong, which helped South Africa A finish truly on top at the half-way stage in the match.

Resuming on 78 for 1, a disciplined batting performance saw the hosts reach 351 for 7 at close, a lead of 158 runs. Overnight batsmen Morne van Wyk and Neil McKenzie added 28 more before McKenzie was trapped leg-before by Dwayne Bravo for 54. van Wyk then combined with JP Duminy to take the team close to establishing the lead but was out 11 short of his hundred, playing a Fidel Edwards delivery on to the stumps.

Justin Ontong came in to bat, and soon began to tick the scoring along at a healthy rate. He put on 104 for the fourth wicket with Duminy, who was patient during his 62.

The visitors then recovered some of the momentum with three wickets in the span of just over ten overs. Bravo, the captain, ended the day with figures of 3 for 43 while Fidel Edwards took 2 for 39 from his 19 overs.

However, the star of the day was Ontong, whose 100 came off just 121 balls and included ten fours and two sixes. He was particularly comfortable against the legspinner Rawl Lewis, with 32 runs coming off 34 the balls of his he faced. Pedro Collins and Darren Sammy also made for easy pickings for the batsman, whose second of two Tests for South Africa was way back in 2004.

Ontong finished unbeaten on 109 and any further runs he can add with the remaining batsmen will increase the pressure on the West Indians, who will need to do a better job in their second innings if they are to avoid a defeat in the lead-up to the first Test in Port Elizabeth.

© Cricinfo