West Indies win toss, put South Africa in

26 Dec, 2014

PORT ELIZABETH: The West Indies won the toss and sent South Africa in to bat in overcast conditions on the first day of the second Test at St George's Park on Friday.

South Africa made two changes and West Indies three from the sides that played in the first Test at Centurion, which South Africa won by an innings and 220 runs.

Batsman Temba Bavuma became the sixth black African -- and the first since Lonwabo Tsotsobe four seasons ago -- to play Test cricket for South Africa.

He replaced the injured Quinton de Kock and is the 85th player to be capped since South Africa returned to Test cricket in 1992.

In a second change for the hosts, Pakistan-born leg-spinner Imran Tahir replaced seamer Kyle Abbott, with spin expected to be a factor.

AB de Villiers, who will continue to keep wicket as he did in both West Indies innings in the first Test after De Kock's injury, was set to play in his 97th consecutive Test since his debut ten years ago.

De Villiers moved one ahead of Australia's Adam Gilchrist, the previous record-holder for most consecutive Tests from debut.

The West Indies also fielded a new cap in left-arm seamer Kenroy Peters, while fast bowler Shannon Gabriels and all-rounder Jason Holder were also included.

Jermain Blackwood and Sheldon Cottrell were dropped while Kemar Roach, their most effective bowler in the first Test, is injured.

Teams:

South Africa: Hashim Amla (capt), Alviro Petersen, Dean Elgar, Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers (wkt), Stiaan van Zyl, Temba Bavuma, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir

West Indies: Denesh Ramdin (capt, wkt), Kraigg Brathwaite, Devon Smith, Leon Johnson, Marlon Samuels, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Jason Holder, Jerome Taylor, Sulieman Benn, Shannon Gabriel, Kenroy Peters

Umpires: Billy Bowden (NZL), Paul Reiffel (AUS)

TV umpire: Aleem Dar (PAK)

Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI)

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2014

Read Comments