South Africa v West Indies Series dec 26-Jan. 20

West Indies wins first-ever test in South Africa

Confounding the skeptics in maintaining their discipline and sense of purpose, the West Indies completed one of the greatest upsets in recent Test history yesterday, trouncing South Africa by 128 runs late on the fourth day of the first Test of the three-match series.
Casting aside the disappointment of being dismissed for just 175 in their second innings, the much-maligned Caribbean side earned their first Test triumph anywhere for two-and-a-half years and first ever in South Africa in restricting the hosts to 260 all out after they were set a daunting target of 389. In keeping with the total team effort that produced this remarkable result, Fidel Edwards made amends for his indifferent performance in the first innings, bowling with unsettling pace and hostility to have the home side faltering at 20-3.
He returned later in the day to claim the prized scalp of Jacques Kallis for the top score of 85 - albeit via a generous slice of luck - and effectively put the seal on the tourists' victory march. But his haul of 3-37 was not singular in propelling the West Indies to victory for Jerome Taylor (3-66) also made a significant impact, as did the other member of the pace trio, Daren Powell, who consigned Herschelle Gibbs to the second "pair" of his Test career.
For four members of the team - Dwayne Bravo, Denesh Ramdin, Runako Morton and Darren Sammy - it was the first time they were playing in a winning Test team, with Bravo's run of 23 matches without success since his debut at Lord's in 2004 making him the player with the third highest number of matches played before enjoying a Test victory in the history of the game. The result also ended the West Indies' winless Test streak at 20 matches, equalling their previous longest barren period from 1969 to 1973.

South Africa beat West Indies by 7 wickets

South Africa hit 186 runs in 35 overs to beat West Indies by seven wickets and a day to spare in the second test. The three-match series is now tied 1-1.
South Africa quickly reached 186-3 in its second innings, with captain Graeme Smith returning to form with 85 off 79 balls, including 11 boundaries.
Earlier, West Indies captain Chris Gayle came back in to bat with a broken thumb to help his team reach 262 with a 70-run last-wicket partnership. Set 185 to win, South Africa chose to play aggressively after rain was forecast for Sunday at Newlands Stadium.
Undefeated batsmen Jacques Kallis (22) and Ashwell Prince (12) finished it off for South Africa. A.B. de Villiers opened the innings with Smith due to Neil McKenzie's calf muscle tear. De Villiers hit 23 in 24 balls before falling to a good catch by substitute Darren Sammy at midwicket off the bowling of Dwayne Bravo.
Hashim Amla joined the run chase, hitting 37 in support of Smith in a partnership of 83 in just 17 overs. Amla and Smith each fell to slip catches by Gayle off legspinner Rawl Lewis. Gayle used his uninjured right hand after fracturing his left thumb when he was hit on the hand by Andre Nel in the first over of the day's play.
The third test starts in Durban on Thursday. West Indies won the first test by 128 runs in Port Elizabeth.