SA in control after Amla’s double

Hashim Amla becomes first Proteas captain to score 200 at home as the hosts pile up the runs against the West Indies.

Amla has now hit three double centuries in Test cricket [AFP]

Hashim Amla’s third double-ton for South Africa and Stiaan van Zyl’s unbeaten century on debut against West Indies helped the hosts declare on 552 for five before rain brought an early end to day two of the first Test.

A heavy downpour that started just after the Proteas’ declaration some 30 minutes before tea meant no more play and an early 10am (0800 GMT) start on Friday.

It was a day to remember for Amla and Van Zyl, who are on opposite ends of spectrum in terms of Test experience but can be equally pleased with their efforts in helping South Africa to their massive total.

Amla showed all of his famous powers of concentration and stamina to bat for almost eight hours in compiling 208 from 371 balls before he holed out to long-on off the bowling of left-arm spinner Suleiman Benn as the hosts tried to up the tempo.

The impressive Van Zyl, long tipped as an international cricketer, grabbed his moment by smashing 15 boundaries to end the innings on 101 not out from 130 balls.

He is the fifth South African to score a test hundred on debut, but his total is far short of the record set by Jacques Rudolph of 222 not out against Bangladesh in 2003.

West Indies’ bowling attack toiled without their main weapon Kemar Roach, who is unlikely to feature again in the Test.

He limped off on day one and an MRI scan showed slight ligament damage but West Indies have said he will bowl in the second innings if needed.

Source: Reuters