Rudolph rescues SA
AFP, Cape Town
Jacques Rudolph held the South African innings together after the West Indies made inroads on the home team's in-form batting line-up on the first day of the third Test at Newlands on Friday. South Africa, who led the four-match series 2-0, were 206 for three at tea after winning the toss with the left-handed Rudolph unbeaten on 57. Fast bowler Adam Sanford dismissed both opening batsmen, Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs, then held a catch at third man to dismiss Gary Kirsten off the bowling of Fidel Edwards. South Africa suffered another blow when Jacques Kallis, who made centuries in the first two Tests, had to go to hospital for X-rays after being struck on the right forearm when he missed a pull against Edwards. A team spokesman said he had severe bruising but would be able to bat later if necessary. Sanford was the star for the West Indies, taking two for 34 in a 13-over spell which spanned the lunch break. He broke an opening stand of 70 when Gibbs was caught behind for 33. This was followed up by having South African captain Smith caught at first slip for 42. Kallis, who made 158 in his first three innings of the series, looked in excellent form, scoring 20, all in boundaries, off the first 20 balls he faced. But he looked in serious pain after being struck by Edwards. He carried on batting for a short while but had to retire hurt with his score on 23. The tourists, already missing three players who had to return home early because of injuries, suffered two more blows before the match. Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who made a century in the second innings in Durban while batting with a runner, was ruled out because of a quadricep strain and replaced by new cap Dwayne Smith, while seam bowler Corey Collymore, who missed the second Test because of a hamstring injury, was again ruled out after failing a late fitness test. Opening batsman Chris Gayle returned after suffering a hamstring injury in the first Test in Durban, with Carlton Baugh being dropped, while left-arm spinner Dave Mohammed was picked ahead of Mervyn Dillon, the most experienced seam bowler in the touring party. Mohammed made an inauspicious start when he dropped a straightforward chance at gully from Gibbs off Edwards when the batsman was on 22.
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