Cricket: Walsh's wickets put West Indies on top

PORT OF SPAIN - West Indies paceman Courtney Walsh followed up his 500 dismissals milestone with the 22nd five-wicket test haul of his career against South Africa today.

Walsh took six for 61 as South Africa totalled 287 in their second innings to leave West Indies needing 232 to win the second test.

By the close of the fourth day, the hosts were 32 for one. Opener Wavell Hinds fell to Jacques Kallis for two.

Although opener Herschelle Gibbs made 87, South Africa fell away after reaching 187 for two and lost their last eight wickets for 100 runs.

Veteran Walsh, who took two wickets in three balls on Monday to reach the 500 mark, bowled 13 maidens and received valuable help from Mervyn Dillon and Dinanath Ramnarine in yet another excellent display.

Dillon took three for 58 while Ramnarine's 35 economical overs yielded one for 61.

Walsh took the crucial wicket of Gibbs just after lunch and then polished off the last three South African wickets, removing Nicky Boje, Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock as his test tally rose to 504.

West Indies turned the tables early in the second session when Walsh bowled five maidens and took one wicket for one run, applying the brakes as South Africa threatened to build a big score.

Gibbs went after only three runs had been added to the lunchtime score of 195 for three when he was caught by substitute fielder Shivnarine Chanderpaul at square leg.

Gibbs, who hit 83 not out in the drawn first test, came to the crease after Walsh's 500th wicket on Monday had left South Africa at 38 for two.

He boosted the total to 187 for the third wicket in a 149-run partnership with Daryll Cullinan.

Lance Klusener took 38 minutes and 25 balls to score five before he was caught at first slip by Chris Gayle after a thick edge to Dillon.

Neil McKenzie, who has had a disappointing tour, went after tea for a hard-fought 134-ball 25. He edged a Dillon delivery and was caught behind by Ridley Jacobs.

Mark Boucher was bowled by Dillon for 38, leaving South Africa 264 for seven before Walsh helped himself to the remaining wickets.

He dismissed Boje for nine, caught behind by Jacobs from a thin edge. Then he removed Donald for one and finally captain Pollock for nine.

West Indies made a bad start as Hinds was snared leg before by Kallis with only 20 scored.

The South Africans missed a chance when Cullinan, at first slip, dropped a high catch after Chris Gayle got a thick edge when he was on 18.

- REUTERS