Walsh breaks West Indies record

JOHANNESBURG, Nov 27 (AFP) - Courtney Walsh swept past Malcolm Marshall's record for most Test wickets by a West Indian when he produced a superb display of fast bowling on the second day of the first Test against South Africa at the Wanderers Friday.

Walsh took four for 48 as South Africa reached 217 for six at the close in reply to the West Indian first innings total of 261, the tally making him the fourth most prolific wicket taker in Test history.

The veteran almost single-handedly enabled a depleted bowling line-up to stay in contention on an enthralling day which was stopped by bad light with 7.2 overs remaining.

Walsh, 36, took the first three wickets and then bowled Shaun Pollock late in the day as he took his total of Test wickets to 379, three more than Marshall, who is the West Indian team coach on their South African tour.

With offspinning allrounder Carl Hooper unable to take the field after suffering a groin strain while batting Thursday, the West Indies could only call on four bowlers against a South African team which boasts accomplished batsmen down to number nine.

After Walsh struck with his 10th delivery to have Adam Bacher caught behind, South Africa seemed to be moving towards a strong position when Gary Kirsten and Jacques Kallis put on 92 for the second wicket before Walsh set back the home side with a double strike.

Kallis played some stirring strokes in making 53 off 112 balls with eight fours before edging a backfoot drive to second slip, where Stuart Williams held a diving catch.

In his next over Walsh had Daryll Cullinan caught down the legside by debutant wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs, who earlier had combined with Walsh to dismiss Bacher.

Walsh is playing in his 103rd Test, Marshall played in 81. Only three other bowlers in Test history, Kapil Dev of India (434), Sir Richard Hadlee of New Zealand (431) and Ian Botham of England (383) have taken more wickets.

Left-handed opening batsman Kirsten played a typically gritty innings, making 62 off 144 balls before being bowled off an inside edge when he tried to play a backfoot forcing stroke against Nixon McLean.

Fast bowler McLean struck again when he trapped Jonty Rhodes lbw for 17. South African captain Hansie Cronje was unbeaten on 39 at the close.

Play was stopped for more than half an hour because of bad light but the players came back for another 12.1 overs during which Pollock lost his wicket when he swung across the line against Walsh.

Earlier, Pollock and Donald swept through the West Indian tail as the tourists lost their last three wickets for 12 in seven overs.

Pollock had left-handers Nixon McLean and Curtly Ambrose caught behind by wicketkeeper Mark Boucher to finish with five for 54, his sixth five wicket haul in Tests.

Donald, who had McLean dropped by Gary Kirsten at fine leg in the over before the tailender was dismissed, had Rawl Lewis caught at mid-on to end the innings with three for 91.