'I'm sure we can bowl them out again' - Nel

Andre Nel was upbeat about a South African victory in the second Test at Trinidad after the top-order batsmen began their reply in a strong fashion. Nel was confident that South Africa could take the lead in the first innings and dismiss West Indies again.

South Africa ended the second day on 182 for 3, with Graeme Smith anchoring the innings with a composed 90 not out, in reply to the West Indies' score of 347. "The pitch is going to get lower and perhaps a bit faster," Nel told Reuters. "We're going to try and bat once only, and I'm sure we can bowl them out again."

Dwayne Bravo, though, kept West Indies in the hunt with the crucial wicket of Jacques Kallis with the fourth ball before stumps were drawn. Nel termed that as "disappointing" but added, "but we have a lot of batting to come and I'm sure we can take the lead. Our batsmen are going to have to play with a lot of patience, that's the only way to bat on this pitch."

Nel finished with three wickets in the West Indian first innings, including the prize scalp of Brian Lara. This was the sixth time that Nel had dismissed Lara in nine innings and deprived him of his first Test double century on his home ground. "I wasn't sure what had happened," Nel clarified, "because I didn't see the bail fall off. Then I saw Boucher celebrating, and it hit me."