Cape Town drama with Sydney script

The South African hopes were raised when Wavell Hinds was bowled by Shaun Pollock early in the final session, but Smith’s hundred proved decisive. Earlier, fast bowler Makhaya Ntini struck twice in the first hour to remove both West Indian openers. Daren Ganga went first caught behind by Mark Boucher for 10 when he attempted to hook an Ntini delivery from well outside off stump and top-edged through to the wicketkeeper.

Chris Gayle followed his whirlwind 79-ball century with a series of blazing strokes through the off-side. But on 32 he attempted to turn a full delivery from Ntini through the leg side, the ball flying off a leading edge to Gibbs at gully.

However, Lara and Sarwan dug in with their third-wicket stand of 156 as West Indies made a determined bid to salvage a draw. In marked contrast to his first innings hundred, Lara began at a cracking pace, reaching his 50 from just 58 balls.

As the afternoon progressed, however, his scoring slowed considerably and he eventually fell to the fast bowling of Andre Nel, the West Indian captain attempting a pull shot and edging through to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher. His 86 came in a little over three hours, having faced 138 balls and hitting 14 fours.