Third Test: Dale Steyn overtakes Makhaya Ntini but West Indies battle at Newlands

Dale Steyn became South Africa’s second-highest wicket-taker of all time on day one of the third and final Test against the West Indies, who battled hard to reach stumps on 276-6 at Newlands.

Fast-bowler Steyn removed Denesh Ramdin caught and bowled for 53 shortly before the close of play to overtake Makhaya Ntini’s career tally of 390 Test victims, achieving the feat in 23 fewer matches.

Only Shaun Pollock stands above Steyn in the list of South Africa’s most prolific wicket-takers, with 421 scalps from 108 Tests.

Steyn’s late strike with the new ball ended a 94-run partnership for the sixth-wicket between Jermaine Blackwood (45no) and skipper Ramdin, one of several batsmen who failed to capitalise on solid starts as spinner Simon Harmer claimed 3-67 on his Test debut.

West Indies, needing to win to level the series, won the toss and chose to bat first having recalled Blackwood in place of Kenroy Peters.

Steyn made the first breakthrough of the day when he found the edge of Kraigg Braithwaite’s bat, Dean Elgar pouching the catch in the gully.

But Devon Smith (47) looked assured as he prevented Steyn and pace partner Morne Morkel making further in-roads, adding 50 runs in 76 balls for the second wicket with Leon Johnson.

The opener struck eight fours but with lunch in sight attempted to cut Harmer off his wicket and was bowled middle stump to make it 80-2.

Johnson (54) did register his half-century, off 73 deliveries, but soon afterwards became Harmer’s second Test scalp as he misjudged one that skidded on a touch quicker and trapped him lbw – the wicket ending his 51-run stand with Marlon Samuels.

The fragility of West Indies batting line-up came to the fore again either side of tea when part-time bowler Stiaan van Zyl had Samuels (43) caught in the covers by Faf du Plessis with his very first ball.

Test Cricket

Just 10 runs later Shivnarine Chanderpaul (nine) was also back in the pavilion, the victim of a brilliant leg-side stumping by wicketkeeper AB de Villiers off the bowling of Harmer.

Blackwood offered some much-needed resistance in a gutsy stand with his captain, standing firm against South Africa’s probing attack and keeping the scoreboard ticking over on a low, slow wicket.

Ramdin completed a measured 50 off 90 balls, hitting six fours, but was unable to see out the day, playing too early at a Steyn delivery with the new ball and gifting the bowler a return catch.

Former England batsman Rob Key told Sky Sports that with Ramdin gone, it is imperative that Blackwood converts his promising innings into a century.

“West Indies need to get over 400 because it is going to get tougher to score on this pitch and tougher to get wickets over the next couple of days.”

Watch day two of the third and final Test between South Africa and West Indies live on Sky Sports 2 from 8.25am on Saturday.