Fiery Steyn, Morkel leave West Indies staring at defeat in Port of Spain Test

Devastating fast bowling from Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel has put South Africa in a commanding position against West Indies at the end of day three of the first Test at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain.

The new-ball pair shared nine wickets as West Indies were dismissed for 102, their lowest total against the South Africans.

Steyn took five wickets for 29 in his 14 overs, while Morkel chipped in with four wickets for 19 from 13 overs.

Morkel ran through the top order in a decisive opening spell, where he ripped out West Indies captain Chris Gayle, opening batsman Travis Dowlin and Brendan Nash in successive overs to leave the home team on 12 for three.

Steyn joined him to dismiss Shivnarine Chanderpaul (26) and Narsingh Deonarine (29) to end a flourishing fourth wicket stand of 59, and trigger a dramatic collapse from 3-71 to 9-75 in the space of 28 balls, The Age reports.

With a lead of 250, South African skipper Graeme Smith had the option to enforce a follow-on, but he opted to bat again.

Smith later ended the day unbeaten on 77, as South Africa closed on 155-2 at stumps with a massive lead of 405.

He will resume day four along with Jacques Kallis (40 not out). The duo has put together an unfinished stand of 76 for the third wicket.

Brief Scorecard:

South Africa 1st Innings—352 all out (Boucher 69, de Villiers 68, Benn 5-120)
West Indies 1st Innings--102 (Deonarine 29, Steyn 5-29, Morkel 4-19)
South Africa 2nd Innings--- 155 for 2 (Smith 79 (not out), Kallis 40 (not out))