Second Test, St Kitts, day four (close):
South Africa 543-6 dec & 23-0 v West Indies 546
Match scorecard

Bravo batted with the utmost caution on day four

South Africa lead West Indies by 20 runs going into the last day of the second Test in St Kitts as the match heads towards an inevitable draw.

The hosts began day four on 424-4, 119 runs behind, but made only 78 from 55 overs in the first two sessions.

Proteas keeper Mark Boucher became the first man to reach 500 Test dismissals as the Windies were all out for 546.

Skipper Graeme Smith steered the visitors, who lead the three-Test series 1-0, to 23-0 by the close.

The dogged batting of Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Dwayne Bravo combined with the Proteas' ineffective attack to produce a soporific start to day four.

Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Paul Harris and Lonwabo Tsotsobe all failed to take a single wicket before lunch while Chanderpaul and Bravo played it safe, despite the favourable batting conditions, to eke out only 39 runs in 26 overs.

But a welcome break in the drudgery arrived when Chanderpaul's leading edge off left-arm spinner Harris flew straight into the bowler's hands as he went for 166.

606: DEBATE Give your views on the dismal fare at St Kitts

Bravo responded to his partner's loss by bringing up his half century off 176 balls with a four.

However, the new man at the crease, Denesh Ramdin, notched just one run before cutting straight to Alviro Petersen at backward point off a short delivery from the fortunate Tsotsobe.

Nine overs later, Bravo fell for 53 when he edged a cover drive off Harris to Boucher.

Jacques Kallis grabbed his 50th wicket against the Windies when Shane Shillingford edged to AB de Villiers at second slip.

Kalllis should have had his 51st soon after, but De Villiers could not hold on to a chest-high stroke by Sulieman Benn.

The sudden flurry of action could not detract from the depressing truth of another slow session as the Windies had managed only another paltry 39 runs - this time in 29 overs.

Tail-enders Benn and Ravi Rampaul, though, conjured a half century partnership to illuminate the rain-delayed evening session's play and edge their side into the lead.

Rampaul (31) was the victim when Morkel delivered for Boucher to collect his milestone 500th dismissal - comprising of 478 catches and 22 stumpings - 84 ahead of his nearest rival, Australian Adam Gilchrist.

When the Windies were finally dismissed, skipper Smith and Petersen then batted through the remaining time to carry the Proteas to 23 without loss at the close at Warner Park.

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