West Indies 225 & 255-7 (close)
South Africa 141

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Stunning half-centuries from Ridley Jacobs and Marlon Samuels gave West Indies a solid overall lead of 339 on the third day of the fifth Test against South Africa at Sabina Park on Saturday.

The pair restored the home side's advantage with a sixth-wicket stand of 58 as South Africa's disciplined bowling and fielding withered under a sweltering sun.

Resuming in apparent command at 34 without loss and a lead of 118, the day soon turned against the West Indies when opener Leon Garrick removed by Allan Donald.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul edged an away swinger from Justin Kemp to Daryll Cullinan at first slip to become the second victim of the morning session.

Patient

The home side resumed the lunch session at 73 for two.

Brian Lara's patient innings of 14 from 50 balls ended when an attempt to charge left-arm wrist-spinner Paul Adams saw him comprehensively bowled.

Chris Gayle's painful contribution of 32, spanning 180 balls in over four hours, finally ended when he too was yorked, this time by Shaun Pollock.

Captain Carl Hooper was out then out when he lobbed a bouncer from Jacques Kallis to slip where Pollock held a fine juggling catch.

But then came the partnership between Samuels and Jacobs, which restored solidity to the hosts' total which had fallen to 126 for five.

Casualty

Samuels eventually fell to Pollock when an attempted drive off the back foot hit the inside edge and cannoned into the off stump.

He had faced 97 balls and struck nine boundaries.

Mervyn Dillon was the final casualty of the day, weakly patting a tired Pollock long-hop to Herschelle Gibbs at backward point.

But Jacobs continued to chance his arm, missing as many hook shots as he hit but ensuring the West Indies were firmly in the driving-seat at the close of play.

Jacobs will resume on 67, made from 138 balls with seven boundaries, with Dinanath Ramnarine, who scored an unbeaten 35 in the first innings and is nine not out in the second.