CENTURION, South Africa (CMC) — West Indies assistant manager Andre Coley says his openers will need to occupy the crease for a considerable period in mounting a serious fightback against South Africa when the first Test enters its third day today.
Coley is banking on a solid start from openers Kraigg Braithwaite and Devon Smith to help turn things around for the visitors after two miserable days in the field.
A double century from captain Hashim Amla and centuries from AB de Villiers and Stiaan van Zyl piled on the misery for the West Indies as the homeside soared to 552 for five declared just before tea.
“Kraigg has a history of spending a lot of time at the crease and that is something that we definitely will need in our first innings,” said Coley.
“Devon having played that warm-up game and also having that opportunity to also spend some quality time in the middle should be relishing the opportunity, as well.”
No play was possible after the schedule tea time interval on the second day after rains swept across SuperSport Park, preventing South Africa from driving home the advantage of an imposing total.
After the five sessions in the field, Kemar Roach remains the best bowler with two for 52, but in his absence, due to injury on Wednesday, Sulieman Benn led the attack with two for 148 from 46 overs.
“We have been in the field for the better part of two days, so we are all clear on how the pitch is likely to play,” said Coley.
“I am sure our fellas will be in a positive frame of mind when we approach our first innings tomorrow.”
The best moment for West Indies in the game thus far has been an impressive bowling spell early in the South African innings that sparked a slide where South Africa lost three quick wickets for no runs in the space of 14 balls.
Coley says the bowlers did not put the ball in the right places and so must take blame for allowing their opponents to recover and dominate.
“There were times, especially that second hour yesterday, when we bowled in areas that caused a bit of problem,” Coley recalled.
“I am sure the bowlers will be honest with themselves and will actually agree that we never really put deliveries in areas consistently to be able to apply pressure.”
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Windies relying on openers to lead fightback
