At least South Africa, put in by Brian Lara, did complete their innings. There were supporting knocks from the captain, Graeme Smith, and Jacques Rudolph, but a total of 246 for six from their 50 overs was not insurmountable. West Indies reply began late owing to the rain, which fell more heavily still after just six overs of their innings. Play was abandoned for the day at five o’clock.
As was evident in the sunny morning, South Africa’s batting is dependent on one or two of three players — Gibbs, Jacques Kallis and Smith — scoring heavily. Rudolph also made a sizable score here, but the lower middle order faulted to some extent, not least because Lance Klusener came to the wicket too late in the innings.
South Africa did have the advantage of batting in decent light. Had this been a county or Test match, West Indies’ innings would never have started when it did. Smith’s side also benefited from not having to face Mervyn Dillon, who sustained a shoulder injury after taking five wickets against Bangladesh.
Lara took a chance in putting South Africa in. At 148 for one and then 198 for two, and with the good light not likely to last, it was a questionable decision.
Gibbs and Smith began untroubled with a partnership of 102 from 128 balls. The captain, who was almost run out by Ricardo Powell when on 24, had struck 45 with five fours when he attempted to force a ball from Chris Gayle that was not short enough for the shot and was bowled.
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Kallis then batted circumspectly until Dwayne Bravo removed his middle stump, the ball spearing in between bat and pad. Gibbs reached his century, which included nine fours, with a straight six off Chris Gayle’s flat, slow, medium pace.
South Africa struck 75 runs off the last 10 overs, enabling them to finish with a total that was less than they would have anticipated when Gibbs and Smith were in partnership, but better than might have been envisaged around the 40th over.