Harmer dismissed Smith, Johnson and Chanderpaul
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
South Africa debutant Simon Harmer excelled with the ball on the first day of the third Test in Cape Town as he dismissed three West Indian batsmen.
However, West Indies batsman Leon Johnson and captain Denesh Ramdin stood tall amongst the rubble as they both made valiant half-centuries.
Ramdin would have been regretting his decision to bowl first early on after Kraigg Brathwaite was caught by Dean Elgar at gully off the bowling of Dale Steyn for seven runs.
Johnson and Devon Smith made up for the early loss of Brathwaite with a 50-run partnership before Smith was clean bowled by Harmer for 47.
Johnson and Marlon Samuels kept the runs flowing with a 51-run partnership, during which Johnson brought up his half-century, before he was given out lbw off the bowling of Harmer.
Johnson’s excellent knock of 54 came off 84 balls and included nine boundaries.
Johnson made a gutsy 54
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Samuels went on to score 43 runs before he was caught by Faf du Plessis at cover to give Stiaan van Zyl his maiden Test wicket.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul only made nine runs before he was stumped by AB de Villiers off the bowling of Harmer.
Ramdin and Jermaine Blackwood stabilised the innings with a 94-run partnership, during which Ramdin registered his half-century, before he was caught and bowled by Steyn.
Ramdin’s fantastic knock of 53 came off 103 deliveries and included six boundaries.
Ramdin hit six boundaries during his knock of 53
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Blackwood and Jason Holder managed to amass an unbeaten 10-run partnership before stumps was called.
Blackwood finished on 45 off 102 balls, which included five boundaries, while Holder remained undefeated on five off 14 deliveries, which included one boundary.
Harmer was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Steyn snapped up two and van Zyl chipped in with one.
The West Indies ended day one on 276/6 and will continue batting tomorrow at 10:30 local time or 08:30 GMT.