De Villiers celebrates after scoring his 21st Test century

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

The West Indies lost two quick wickets following South Africa batsman AB de Villiers’ century on the third day of the third Test in Cape Town.

Starting out the day on 227/3, South Africa captain Hashim Amla and de Villiers converted their 70-run partnership into a 97-run partnership, during which de Villiers brought up his half-century, before Amla was caught behind off the bowling of Jason Holder.

Amla’s excellent knock of 63 came off 150 balls and included seven boundaries.

Temba Bavuma only made 15 runs before he was clean bowled by Shannon Gabriel.

De Villiers and Stiaan van Zyl stabilised the innings with a 96-run partnership, during which de Villiers registered his 21st Test century, before van Zyl was given out lbw off the bowling of Marlon Samuels.

Van Zyl decided to review the decision, but replays showed that the ball was pitching in line and clipping the stumps. This led to the third umpire upholding the original decision.

Vernon Philander failed to trouble the scorers as he was run out by Holder for a duck.

Debutant Simon Harmer mustered 10 runs before he was given out lbw off the bowling of Jerome Taylor.

Dale Steyn did not make any runs as he was run out by Leon Johnson for a golden duck.

South Africa were bowled out for 421, which gave them a 92-run lead, when de Villiers was caught by Gabriel at long-on off the bowling of Samuels.

De Villiers’ magnificent knock of 148 came off 194 balls and included 15 boundaries and a six.

Holder and Samuels picked up two wickets apiece, while Gabriel, Taylor and Sulieman Benn chipped in with one wicket each.

Trailing by 92 runs, the West Indies got off to a horrible start as opening batsman Devon Smith was caught behind off the bowling of Morne Morkel for seven runs.

Kraigg Brathwaite made 16 runs before he was clean bowled by Harmer.

Johnson and Samuels stabilised the innings with an unbeaten 61-run partnership before stumps was called.

Johnson finished on 37 off 66 balls, which included five boundaries, while Samuels remained undefeated on 26 off 57 deliveries, which included four boundaries.

Morkel and Harmer claimed one wicket each.

The West Indies ended day three on 88/2 and will continue batting tomorrow at 10:30 local time or 08:30 GMT.