News Sports Cricket West Indies openers fall after good start on day 3, lunch, 1st test

West Indies openers fall after good start on day 3, lunch, 1st test

Centurian, South Africa: Seamer Vernon Philander struck twice in two overs for South Africa to stall a reasonable start by the West Indies to its first innings on day three of the first test at

west indies openers fall after good start on day 3 lunch 1st test west indies openers fall after good start on day 3 lunch 1st test

Centurian, South Africa: Seamer Vernon Philander struck twice in two overs for South Africa to stall a reasonable start by the West Indies to its first innings on day three of the first test at Centurion on Friday.
   
Philander removed the opening batsmen after a stand of 72 gave the visitors a strong start, but Leon Johnson and Marlon Samuels dug in to take the West Indies to lunch on 110-2 in response to South Africa's 552-5 declared.
   
Devon Smith and Kraigg Brathwaite successfully saw off the new-ball spell from Dale Steyn and Philander, before Philander returned to have them caught behind the wicket.
   
The initial breakthrough came in controversial circumstances, with Smith given out caught behind despite replays suggesting there was no contact with the bat.
   
There was no doubt about Braithwaite's dismissal though, as his genuine edge was held by Hashim Amla at slip in Philander's next over.
   
Philander had figures of 2-19 at the lunch interval, while Johnson was unbeaten on 27 and Samuels on 6 not out.
   
Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis were unable to take the field for South Africa, with De Kock rolling an ankle in the warmups, and Du Plessis suffering from abdominal cramps.
   
AB de Villiers kept wicket in De Kock's absence.