WI local:Three WI bowlers in SA's top 5

Johannesburg-Three West Indians are among the top wicket-takers in South Africa's 2000-2001 Super Sport first-class championship.

The list is headed by former Leeward Islands and West Indies pacer Kenny Benjamin, whose 27 scalps in four matches have made him the highest wickettaker. His wickets have been taken at 16.96 each and have lifted Easterns to second place in Pool "B".

The 33-year-old Benjamin captured his 400th wicket in first-class cricket in the latest series of matches which ended on Monday.

He is joined in the Top 5 by Barbadian pacers Mark Lavine and Vasbert Drakes.

Lavine, who is having is best season for North West, is second to Benjamin with 22 wickets at 17.18 each in just three matches.

On two occasions, the 27-year-old former Spartan allrounder claimed six wickets in an innings.

As a batsman, he slammed 85 in one innings, but has managed no other significant score. His aggregate is 118 runs (average 19.66).

Drakes, one of South Africa's Cricketers Of The Year last season, has hauled in 17 wickets (ave. 22.58) in three matches. The Border allrounder is the joint fourth-highest wicket-taker.

In six innings, his highest score is 39 in an overall aggregate of 109 (ave. 21.80).

Drakes' fellow Barbadian, Ottis Gibson, has not been as successful as his West Indian colleagues. He has eight wickets (ave. 35.75), but has done better with the bat, scoring 122 runs (ave. 20.75), including a highest score of 52.

The fifth West Indian playing professionally in South Africa is veteran Eldine Baptiste. The former Leeward Islands and West Indies all-rounder has played in just two matches in which he has scored 39 runs and taken three wickets.