Rain delays play on day two of South Africa-West Indies first Test

18 December 2014 - 18:34 By Sapa
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Stiaan van Zyl of South Africa celebrates his maiden Test 100, on debut, during day 2 of the 1st Test match between South Africa and West Indies at SuperSport Park on December 18, 2014 in Pretoria, South Africa.
Stiaan van Zyl of South Africa celebrates his maiden Test 100, on debut, during day 2 of the 1st Test match between South Africa and West Indies at SuperSport Park on December 18, 2014 in Pretoria, South Africa.
Image: Duif du Toit/Gallo Images

Rain delayed play after tea on day two of the first Test between South Africa and the West Indies in Centurion on Thursday.

South Africa had declared on 552 for five shortly before the scheduled tea interval, but the rain started to fall as the West Indies were due to begin their first innings.

Earlier, Hashim Amla notched up the highest score for a South African captain on home soil with his knock of 208.

His score was also the highest ever at the ground, and against the West Indies in all Tests between the nations.

Not to be left out, Stiaan van Zyl brought up his maiden Test century on debut as he shared in a 155 run stand from 221 balls with Amla for the fifth wicket.

The 371 ball stay at the crease, lasting seven hours and 56 minutes, came to an end for Amla when he was caught on the long on boundary off the bowling of Sulieman Benn. In total, Amla struck 22 fours in his record-breaking innings.

Van Zyl ended 101 not out from 130 balls, striking 15 fours when the declaration came. Quinton de Kock was also unbeaten, on 18 at the other end.

In the first session of play, AB De Villiers was out for 152 from 235 balls, playing a flashy drive off Benn and was caught at point to bring an end to his stay at the wicket.

De Villiers finished with 16 fours and two sixes as he managed a commendable strike rate of 64 against a tiring West Indies attack.

The wicket also brought down the curtain on the 308-run record fourth wicket partnership in Tests for South Africa between Amla and De Villiers.

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