"I would like everyone in the team to give at least another 15 percent, then perhaps we can make not only an effort to win a Test, but maybe match South Africa in terms of professionalism too." When Carl Hooper spoke these words at the pre-game press

The last afternoon of this Third Test nearly brought the West Indies team to their collective knees

This third Test match is still very tight indeed

Carl Hooper is 74 not out, his fourth Test half-century since being made captain, and his 22nd overall; the West Indies, battling hard to bring themselves back into this Third Test, are 252-5 at the close of a tremendously entertaining third day

Like the two Tests so far this series, the first day of the Third Test is finely balanced

After the West Indies cricket team has suffered so much pain and a tremendous shellacking over the past few years, I hope that the younger, probably rejuvenated, certainly more focused - if inexperienced - team will come through quickly for all West

In the recent history of West Indies cricket, say the last 50 years or so, few of the team's captains have been dynamic enough to actually change the face of West Indies cricket forever

Perhaps the South Africans showed the West Indies, on the final day, a bit about professionalism, toughness and everything else that is necessary for Test cricket, especially when the chips are down

Jacques Kallis, the South African all-rounder, who has had a poor run of luck with the bat in this Second Test match, snared West Indian opener Wavell Hinds, LBW late on the fourth day to leave this "Golden Test Match" tantalizingly poised

At about 18:20 GMT on March 19, 2001, Courtney Walsh, the tireless Jamaica and West Indies fast bowler, made more history by getting that unprecedented 500th Test wicket

This Second Test match is still very evenly balanced, the West Indies being just 36 runs away from what could be a very big psychological boost if they could get a first innings lead

It was one of those days of Test cricket when everything worked well, yet worked badly too, depending on which side you happen to be

It was a pity that South Africa never really took up the challenge set by Carl Hooper's West Indies of trying to score that 306 in a minimum of 76 overs, an initial asking rate of about 4.02

I think that Day 4 of this Test match was one of the best I have seen for some time, especially since I have been on so many losing West Indian tours recently

Professionalism, determination and plain doggedness - these words describe the Western Province opener Gary Kirsten, probably the hardest batsman in the South African team to get out

The most positive thing so far in this important Test match occurred on day two

Sometimes Test cricket is a war of attrition and this first day of the First Test was a perfect example

Colin Croft talks to West Indies fast bowler Merve Dillon who has been selected in the final 13 for the First Test against South Africa starting on Saturday

There are no real surprises in the 13 selected for the West Indies for the First Test to be played at the Bourda Oval starting this Friday

In their first and only outing before the First Test the South Africans actually had every player involved in the batting game against the West Indies Busta Cup XI, though it was probably not the original plan