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Steyn leads SA charge

South Africa's Dale Steyn bowling during training ahead of the test against Australia at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. PICTURE: SYDNEY SESHIBEDI 25/02/2009
South Africa's Dale Steyn bowling during training ahead of the test against Australia at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. PICTURE: SYDNEY SESHIBEDI 25/02/2009

THE touring Proteas will have just a few days to savour Sunday's 163-run victory over the West Indies before padding up again on Friday at Queen's Park Oval in St Kitts for the second Test of the series.

THE touring Proteas will have just a few days to savour Sunday's 163-run victory over the West Indies before padding up again on Friday at Queen's Park Oval in St Kitts for the second Test of the series.

In spite of losing a large chunk of the first day's play at Port of Spain due to rain, the South African side still managed to wrap up the game inside four days, largely due to another impressive bowling display by quickie Dale Steyn.

Steyn, who picked up eight wickets during the match, has become the fastest player in cricket history to collect 200 wickets.

As usual Steyn was modest about his personal effort and credited his teammates with the victory.

"The new-ball spell that Morne (Morkel) bowled was great," Steyn said. "When the ball started to reverse it was never going to be easy and I hope I have more spells like that. I don't think it is going to happen all the time.

"Morne is a fantastic bowler and when he bowls well, he takes a lot of the pressure off me."

The Protea's first innings was built around AB de Villiers (68), Mark Boucher (69) and Ashwell Prince (57), while in the second innings Graeme Smith played a captain's knock of 90 before being bowled by left-arm spinner Suleiman Benn.

Though Steyn deservedly picked up the man of the match award, the tall Benn was not far behind him.

He also ended with an eight-wicket haul and his contribution of 42 with the bat in the second innings was the third highest total on their scoresheet.

The West Indies will be the first to admit that where they lost the match was in their paltry first innings score of 102 when just three of their players managed double figures.

With such a a poor batting display, they were always on the back foot. - additional reporting by Sapa-AFP

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