Cricket:Injuries took their toll on both teams when South Africa beat West Indies by seven wickets on Saturday in the second Test in Cape Town to level the series 1-1.
Visiting captain Chris Gayle had his thumb fractured by a ball from paceman Andre Nel and could miss the third and deciding Test in Durban, starting on Thursday. "The X-rays show it's cracked around the joint and it doesn't look good, but if it were up to me I'd have it strapped and I would play," Gayle said.
West Indies paceman Fidel Edwards also strained a hamstring after bowling only 4.5 overs.
South Africa lost batsman Neil McKenzie with a torn calf while fast bowler Dale Steyn is doubtful with a hamstring problem. Herschelle Gibbs, replaced by McKenzie, will come back into the side in Durban. Monde Zondeki has been drafted in as cover for Steyn.
South Africa captain Graeme Smith suggested the heavily-grassed outfield was partly to blame for some of the injuries.
"With the outfield being heavy, we knew one or two guys were going to struggle and the conditions would take their toll," said Smith. "The pitch and the outfield made it a hard-fought Test, and West Indies showed a lot more patience and discipline than we're used to from a West Indian team."
Gayle felt his side stood a good chance of winning the series in Durban.
"We're disappointed, but the guys should be proud about how they played this game," Gayle said.
In Dunedin yesterday, New Zealand crushed Bangladesh by nine wickets to win their first Test shortly before tea on the third day at the University Oval.
Set 35 to win after Bangladesh's batting collapsed, New Zealand reached their target in 8.1 overs for the loss of one wicket, with Peter Fulton sealing the win with a massive six off Mohammad Ashraful.
Bangladesh had resumed their second innings on 148 without loss, but succumbed to a spectacular collapse, losing all 10 wickets to be dismissed for 254 just after lunch.
New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori polished off the tail after lunch to take four wickets for 70 runs after seamer Kyle Mills triggered the collapse in the morning session.
Despite the relatively easy nature of his team's win, Vettori said his side still had some improvement in them ahead of the second Test starting in Wellington on Saturday.
SOUTH AFRICA v WEST INDIES
(Second Test, Cape Town)
Overnight:South Africa 321 (A Prince 98, M Boucher 59; D Bravo 4-82) West Indies 243 (S Chanderpaul 65 no, M Samuels 51; D Steyn 4-60) and 96-4.
West Indies - Second Innings
S Chanderpaulnot out70
C Gaylec Harris b Steyn38
D Bravoc Smith b Nel12
R Lewisc Amla b Harris1
J Taylorc Kallis b Steyn21
D Powellc Smith b Steyn1
F Edwardsc Harris b Nel21
Extras(b4, lb20, w1) 25
Total(101.5 overs) ... 262
Fall of wickets:1-59, 2-60, 3-81, 4-93, 5-126, 6-133, 7-163, 8-167, 9-192.
Bowling:Nel 27-12-62-3 Ntini 26-8-62-1 Steyn 19.5-7-44-4 Kallis 19-6-34-1 Harris 10-0-36-1.
South Africa - Second Innings
G Smithc Gayle b Lewis85
AB de Villiersc Sub b Bravo23
H Amlac Gayle b Lewis37
J Kallisnot out22
A Princenot out12
Extras(lb5, w1, nb1) 7
Total(3 wkts, 35.2 overs) ... 186
Fall of wickets:1-57, 2-140, 3-152.
Did not bat:N McKenzie, M Boucher, P Harris, D Steyn, M Ntini.
Bowling:Powell 11-0-57-0, Taylor 6-0-31-0, Bravo 7-0-34-1, Samuels 3-0-17-0, Lewis 8.2-0-42-2.
South Africa beat West Indies by seven wickets
NEW ZEALAND v BANGLADESH
(First Test, Dunedin)
Bangladesh 137 (Tamim Iqbal 53, C Martin 4-64) & 254 (Tamim Iqbal 84, Junaid Siddique 74, D Vettori 4-70) v New Zealand 357 (J Oram 117, M Bell 107, Mashrafe Mortaza 4-74) & 39-1.
New Zealand beat Bangladesh by nine wickets
