Smith batted with great patience on the Port of Spain wicket

South Africa captain Graeme Smith helped steer his side to 182-3 on day two of the second Test after West Indies had ended with a total of 347.

Smith finished the day on 90 not out and will resume at the crease on Sunday with nightwatchman Monde Zondeki.

Earlier Brian Lara fell agonisingly short of a double century when he was the last man out for 196.

Makhaya Ntini was the pick of the South African bowling attack, ending the innings with figures of 6-45.

Andre Nel provided an excellent supporting role, collecting 3-71, including the prize wicket of Lara.

The delivery that dismissed the brilliant Trinidadian, playing on his home ground at Port of Spain, was a leg-cutter that just brushed off stump.

The pitch is going to get lower and perhaps a bit faster Andre Nel Quotes: Nel's verdict

It was a moment that stunned the home crowd, who were widely expecting Lara to go to his double-hundred in the same over.

West Indies began day two on 281-6, with Lara 159 and Courtney Browne 19.

Ntini bowled well with the second new ball as Browne (26) was caught at short leg and Daren Powell (15) bowled through the gate.

Pedro Collins offered minimal resistance before being trapped lbw by Nel, while Reon King finished unbeaten on one.

Lara batted quite brilliantly until Nel deceived him at the end

South Africa's reply went swimmingly to begin with and the score was building fast.

Then AB de Villiers, who had looked so good on the drive and put on 70 with Smith, mistimed a shot into the covers to be caught by Shiv Chanderpaul off the bowling of King.

Jacques Rudolph's rocky form continued.

He took an age to get off the mark and, despite then hitting two crisp boundaries, he soon edged Dwayne Bravo to wicket-keeper Browne.

Jacques Kallis then eked out a slow 39 off 131 balls only to become Bravo's second victim in the day's final over - trapped lbw.

West Indies: Shivnarine Chanderpaul (captain), Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Brian Lara, Donovon Pagon, Dwayne Bravo, Courtney Browne, Daren Powell, Pedro Collins, Reon King.

South Africa: Graeme Smith (captain), Abraham de Villiers, Jacques Rudolph, Jacques Kallis, Herschelle Gibbs, Ashwell Prince, Mark Boucher, Nicky Boje, Monde Zondeki, Makhaya Ntini, Andre Nel.

Umpires: David Shepherd, Aleem Dar, TV Replays: Billy Doctrove, Reserve: Terence Birbal. Match referee: Jeff Crowe