De Kock’s 141 puts South Africa on top against West Indies

Gros Islet (St. Lucia), Jun 12 (AP): The West Indies’ batting faltered for the second time in as many days, keeping South Africa in a commanding position at stumps on the second day of the first cricket test.
After being dismissed for 97 on the first day, the West Indies slumped to 51-4 as it began its second innings 225 runs behind South Africa.
Quinton de Kock’s unbeaten 141 guided South Africa to 322 in its first innings and the tourist’s bowlers again quickly ran through the West Indies’ top order.
A stubborn 31-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Roston Chase and Jermaine Blackwood halted the slide and lifted the West Indies to 82-4 at stumps when the deficit was 143. Chase was 21 and Blackwood 10 at stumps and their partnership occupied the last 13 overs of the day.
Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje shared the four wickets that fell in the last session.
Rabada trapped Kraigg Brathwaite lbw for 7 in the fifth over, then removed Kieran Powell for 14 in a similar manner in the 11th over.
Nortje dismissed Shai Hope (12) and Kyle Mayers (12) in consecutive overs. Mayers fell to a superb catch at third slip by Wiaan Mulder.
Earlier, de Kock breezed to his sixth century and his highest test score to give South Africa a formidable first innings lead.