'We showed why we are the number one Test team': Morne Morkel

06 January 2015 - 11:58 By Sapa
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Morne Morkel of the Proteas during day 4 of the 3rd Test between South Africa and West Indies at Sahara Park Newlands . File photo
Morne Morkel of the Proteas during day 4 of the 3rd Test between South Africa and West Indies at Sahara Park Newlands . File photo
Image: Carl Fourie/Gallo Images

After South Africa claimed the last six West Indies wickets for 13 runs, Proteas bowler Morne Morkel said his attack showed why they were tops internationally on the fourth day of the third Test at Newlands in Cape Town.

"We showed why we're the best bowling unit in the world," said Morkel after taking 2/18 on the day.

"We work it session by session to break teams down."

The stunning collapse by the West Indies left the number-one ranked South Africans chasing 124 with nine wickets in hand, to win the match and the series 2-0.

Led by Simon Harmer (4/82) and Dale Steyn (3/75) the Proteas bowled out the visitors for 215.

Nevertheless, earlier, at 182 for three, and a lead of 90, the West Indies seemed on track to draw the match. Morkel, however, said his team were relentless in their pursuit of wickets.

"We respect the West Indies a lot, and they've got some quality players. "But we also speak a lot about breaking points. We spend a lot of time talking about pushing a team as far as we can. It was just one last big effort to bowl them out."

While earlier, Leon Johnson was bowled out by Morkel for 44, the real turning point came when Harmer removed top-scorer Marlon Samuels for 74 from 150 balls.

This breakthrough brought an end to a dogged period of defiance between Samuels and Shivnarine Chanderpaul of 87 runs from 168 balls for the fourth wicket.

Subsequently, Steyn picked up his first wicket as he clean-bowled Jermaine Blackwood for 13.

With his next ball, he then ousted wicketkeeper captain Denesh Ramdin for a first ball duck, caught by Harmer diving forward at square leg.

Harmer and Steynthen then combined to wrap up the West Indies innings, with the visitors losing their last six wickets for 13 runs.

Chanderpaul was the last wicket to fall, run out for 50 in his 113 ball stay at the crease.

West Indies coach Stuart Williams was not impressed with the shot selection of his key batsman.

"He just missed the moment in the game, that was the moment when everything fell away and he just played an awful shot," said Williams.

"This is international cricket and we have to seize the moment, and we didn't do that well today."

It was not all smooth sailing for the Proteas when they came into bat to face three overs left in the day. Struggling opener Alviro Petersen was bowled by West Indies spinner Sulieman Benn for a duck to leave the hosts on nine for one heading into the final day. Dean Elgar, on five, was not out at close of play.

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