De Villiers takes South Africa closer to lead

CAPE TOWN: AB de Villiers remained undefeated as South Africa edged towards a first innings lead on the third day of the third and final Test against the West Indies at Newlands on Sunday.

South Africa were 313 for five at the interval, 16 runs behind the West Indian first innings total, with their hopes resting largely with De Villiers, who was on 84 not out, the highest score of the match.

De Villiers started the day with an array of attacking strokes but he was forced to change gears when captain Hashim Amla was caught behind off Jason Holder, ending a fourth wicket partnership of 97.

Amla was dismissed by the first delivery sent down after a ball change in the 76th over, with Holder getting extra bounce with the replacement ball.

De Villiers went from 32 to 50 in quick time when play resumed, adding the extra 18 runs off 18 balls.

But the loss of Amla led to De Villiers playing more cautiously.

He and Temba Bavuma put on 34 for the fifth wicket before Bavuma was bowled for15 by Shannon Gabriel with the second new ball, trying to withdraw his bat but playing the ball on to his stumps.

By lunch, De Villiers had faced another 63 balls in adding 34 runs to his half-century.

The West Indies bowled with discipline and set defensive fields as South Africa were restricted to scoring 86 runs for the loss of two wickets in 26.3 overs during the morning. (AFP)