Amla, Zyl punish toothless Windies

South Africa declare their first innings at 552 for five before rain

Hashim Amla hit his third Test double century and Stiaan van Zyl made a hundred on his debut as South Africa declared their first innings at 552 for five before rain brought an early end of play on the second day of the first Test against the West Indies at SuperSport Park here on Thursday.

Amla made 208 and the left-handed Van Zyl hit an unbeaten 101 before Amla declared half an hour before the scheduled tea break, with the interval being taken early.

Left-arm spinner Suleiman Benn ended a South African record fourth wicket stand of 308 between Amla and AB de Villiers when De Villiers sliced a drive to point after making 152 off 235 balls with 16 fours and two sixes.

He followed up by having Amla caught on the long-on boundary as he was forced to toil for 46 overs, taking two for 148 but not before the South African captain had added 155 for the fifth wicket with Van Zyl. The West Indies were without fast bowler Kemar Roach, who left the field on Monday afternoon after injuring his right ankle.

A team spokesman said scans had revealed no significant damage and it was hoped he would be able to bowl later in the match. Roach’s injury left the tourists with only three front-line bowlers, with Jerome Taylor and Sheldon Cottrell providing pace and Benn needing to tie up one end with spin.

Benn left the field shortly before lunch and was seen with an ice pack on his right shoulder. But he returned after the break. Both Taylor and Cottrell bowled with more control than they had on the first day, with Taylor in particular concentrating on a line outside the off stump with only two fielders on the leg side.