Lara heroics unlikely to save Test
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Mark Boucher hits out as South Africa take control in Test
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JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- Brian Lara completed a superb double century on the fourth day of the first Test against South Africa on Monday but his team ended the day staring defeat in the face.
At the close of play, the tourists were languishing on 31 for three after South Africa declared their second innings on 226 for six to set an unlikely victory target of 378.
Ramnaresh Sarwan was six not out with Lara yet to score after a devastating three-wicket burst by fast bowler Makhaya Ntini.
Ntini, who took five for 94 in the first innings as West Indies were all out 410, ripped through the batting again after the tourists were left to negotiate the final 10 overs of the day.
He uprooted the off-stump of Wavell Hinds with a slanting delivery which had the left-hander playing down the wrong line, then produced a vicious in-swinger to bowl Vasbert Drakes, who was sent in as a nightwatchman with 6.5 overs left.
Ntini completed a notable day by trapping opener Daren Ganga leg before wicket when the batsman went back on his stumps.
Earlier Ntini and fellow fast bowler Andre Nel took two wickets each as South Africa claimed the last four West Indian first innings wickets for 47 runs after they resumed on 363 for six.
Lara, resuming on 178, saw Mervyn Dillon and Chris Gayle dismissed before he lashed Nel through the covers for four to raise his double century.
He tried to repeat the shot off the next ball but hit it straight to Martin van Jaarsveld at cover. He batted for 439 minutes, faced 274 balls and hit 32 fours and two sixes.
Gayle, normally an opener, batted at number nine with a runner because of a torn left hamstring but his footwork was severely restricted -- and edged a low catch to Jacques Kallis at second slip.
In making his sixth Test double century, Lara joined Javed Miandad of Pakistan in third place on the all-time list. Don Bradman of Australia made 12 and Wally Hammond of England seven.
Lara has already been on the losing side after making a double century. He hit 221 and 130 when the West Indies were beaten by Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2001/02. No player has suffered the fate twice.
South Africa made a sound start to their second innings, with Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs putting on 42 before Gibbs missed a hook against Drakes and was taken to hospital with a broken nose.
He will have an operation in Johannesburg on Wednesday but is expected to be fit for the second Test in Durban starting December 26.
