West Indies v South Africa - Second Test - 8-12 April

[Occasional Fan]

Not much comment on the board about this match today, so I'll start it and hopefully others will join in.

The return of Brian Lara certainly looks as though it couldn't have come too soon. With WI winning the toss and electing to bat in Trinidad, they certainly did not want to go down to 13-2 with two early wickets falling to Ntini. Now being the time for all good men to come to the aid of the party, the man who showed up was, once again, Brian Lara, currently unbeaten on 115 with West Indies at 200-3, and the present partnership with Chanderpaul (on 34) standing at 92. A one man show? Or are the Windies going to pull a great team effort out of the bag. Anyone watching who can tell us what is going on?

[Occasional Fan]

Two wickets in nine balls, Chanderpaul and Pagon gone, Lara still there on 118, WI 204-5, and me getting very close the the end of my day.

[John]

Vintage Lara. Anyone thought there was not much left in the tank ought to have seen some of this innnings.
SA fought back excellent stuff. I think they are possibly a bowler light. If they get them out for less than 350 I will be satisfied especially how Lara been playing.

[cantplaycantalk]

a lot will be down to can a very average West Indies attack make the most of Lara's batting.
It did ok on a flat track last time out, but can it use this one with helpful conditions?

Also can Kallis and Gibbs hold the Saffers together.

[Andy Mellon]

Any idea what the Saffers did to concede 5 penalty runs?

[Occasional Fan]

Can't help you with that, Andy, but Brian Lara is now seven runs away from 20,000 first class runs.

[John]

It will be interesting because SA have a long batting lineup. Will it be enough to counter Lara's brilliant innings (and he is not finished)? This is turning out to be a very interesting series.

[Pete]

Free radio coverage of the match if anyone wants to listen.. http://www.zjb.gov.ms/

[Occasional Fan]

Thanks for that, Pete. This is an interesting match and its good to be able to hear it - especially when it is 6 deg C and raining cats and dogs here! And can anyone really argue that Brian Lara is not a class act? To come in at number four when the team is on 13-2 and then be last man out for 196, with a team total of 347: well, it takes something a bit special. I'm not sorry he's not the skipper, but I would have been very sorry if he had not turned out to bat during this series.

[Ninjaman]

A ball was fielded and thrown back to the stumps but it hit the helmet on the pitch!!!