Moontown

FINANCE AND Public Service Minister Audley Shaw is moving to allay fears that the new administration in Trinidad and Tobago may be having second thoughts about the takeover of Air Jamaica.

In a statement yesterday, Shaw expressed confidence that the review of the sale of Air Jamaica to Caribbean Airlines, which is now being carried out by the new government of the twin-island republic, would authenticate the sale as a good deal for Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and the entire Caribbean region.

Shaw said he fully understood the decision of the new government of Trinidad and Tobago to carry out a review of contracts as a normal part of the responsibility of any incoming administration.

The finance minister said he was positive that the contractual obligations from one government to the next would be honoured.

“This sale only serves to strengthen the ability of Caribbean Airlines to be a strong regional airline and enhance its ability to be profitable,” Shaw said. (Jamaica Gleaner)

Philip Hamilton, Gleaner Writer

ATTORNEY GENERAL Dorothy Lightbourne tabled whistle-blower legislation yesterday in the Upper House.

The proposed law, which seeks to protect employees disclosing important information from being subjected to harassment and job dismissals, will be debated at the next sitting.

The bill, which is called the Protected Disclosures Act, is intended to facilitate and encourage disclosures of improper conduct in the public interest, and is said to be a critical component of the Government’s plan to tackle organised crime.

During last Tuesday’s sitting of Parliament, Prime Minister Bruce Golding advised members that the Senate would be debating legislation that would provide avenues for the disclosure of information on corrupt activities.

The bill provides persons making protected disclosures immunity from civil and criminal proceedings, in addition to prohibiting employers from unfair dismissals of employees making such disclosures.

employees’ recourse

Under Section 17 of the proposed act, employers, as well as other persons to whom employees are entitled to make disclosures, are obligated to conduct investigations, as well as make recommendations regarding the measures to be taken.

Employees making protected disclosures who believe they are subject or likely to face unfair job dismissals can seek recourse through the Supreme Court by filing an injunction, as well pursuing claims against employers for job reinstatement, as well as damages.

The act allows protected disclosures to be made to prescribed persons and commissions such as the auditor general, the commissioner of police, commission for the prevention of corruption, the children’s advocate, the public defender, the contractor general, the director of public prosecutions and the Fair Trading Commission.

Under Section 21 Subsection 2 of the act, employers found guilty of intimidating or preventing employees from making protected disclosures can be fined up to $2 million upon conviction in a Resident Magistrate’s Court, as well as up to two years’ imprisonment. (Jamaica Gleaner)

philip.hamilton@gleanerjm.com

JAMAICA PUBLIC Service (JPS) customers are expected to see decreases of up to 2.35 per cent in their electricity bills in July, despite the Office of Utilities Regulation’s (OUR’s) approval of the company’s application for an inflation adjustment to non-fuel rates.

The OUR approved, effective June 19, an annual inflation adjustment in keeping with the JPS 2001 Licence.

However, the inflation adjustment is expected to be offset by decreases in fuel charges and the revaluation of the Jamaican dollar against its United States counterpart. When combined, the inflation adjustment, the lower fuel charges and foreign-exchange rates are expected to result in a decrease of about 1.34 per cent on the bill of a typical residential customer using 200kWh per month.

reduction for large customers

The company indicated yesterday that a typical large commercial customer would see a reduction of approximately 2.35 per cent on his July bill, compared to bills received in June. June’s invoices will also reflect a modest decrease relative to May.

The OUR makes a determination on adjustments to non-fuel electricity rates to reflect changes in costs due to inflation and exchange-rate movement.

As a regulated entity, the JPS submits an application to the OUR each year for the inflation adjustment (outside of the years when a complete tariff review is done). The annual inflation adjustment is applied to the non-fuel portion of electricity bills.

Fuel costs account for approximately 60 per cent of electricity bills. The fuel charges on bills reflect monthly changes in the cost of fuel used to generate electricity. Over the last few months, the price of oil has been decreasing, moving from $17.635 per kilowatt-hour in January, to $14.836 per kilowatt-hour in June.

The positive trend in fuel price and exchange rate is projected to continue into July. (Jamaica Gleaner)

Elizabeth Williams Tobago Bureau

Budget Day in Tobago is June 21.

This was announced by Finance Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), Dr Anselm London, at the assembly’s weekly press briefing yesterday.

London said while he has not been in communication to date with Finance Minister Winston Dookeran, he is confident all Tobago’s needs would be met.

On June 15 2009, the THA presented a $3.07 billion budget. It received $2.2 billion on September 7 when the national budget was presented in Parliament .

’It is unlikely to be any change in distribution of resources, which we shall request. What you might see or are likely to see, is some adjustments in focus,’ London said.

With the change in government in Trinidad and Tobago, London said he does not envision the present Tobago House of Assembly being starved for funding.

The 2010 Tobago budget will be presented by London, at a special sitting in the Assembly Chamber in Tobago. This will be the THA’s budgetary estimates 2010- 2011.

’So I do not expect any deviation from the professionalism which we bring to the table, not so much in arguing Tobago’s case, but presenting the case and engaging the necessary discussions, so that the resources would be here,’ he said.

Meanwhile, THA Chief Secretary Orville London said the THA and the Government are credible and operate on a level of professionalism. London said he would not insult the present government by hinting that they would allow political permeations to influence how they treat with the people of Tobago.

’But we starting with a platform. The platform that we are starting with is what we were getting and what we could have reasonably expected to get under the previous administration, and anything other than that is the icing on the cake,’ London concluded. (Trinidad Express)

Garth Wattley

No goal-scorer today in the opening action of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa will be a happier man than Shane Shillingford was at the Queen’s Park Oval yesterday afternoon.

Given his West Indies cap by manager Joel Garner just before the first Digicel Test match made a belated start yesterday afternoon, his next biggest moment arrived with his 17th ball in international cricket. South African captain Graeme Smith prodded forward to a delivery spinning across him, got an outside edge and Dwayne Bravo, crouching at slip, made no mistake with the catch.

That set Shillingford off on a joyous run in celebration that ended with a hearty high five with the catcher.

On a day more of rain than cricket, Shillingford produced the highlight play.

In fact, most of the day’s striking moments surrounded the Dominican debutant.

JUBILATION: Spinner Shane Shillingford leaps in delight as he is congratulated by Ravi Rampaul after taking his first Test wicket on his debut yesterday, opening day of the first Digicel Test against South Africa at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain. Shillingford had South African captain Graeme Smith caught at slip by Dwayne Bravo for a memorable start to his Test career. -Photo: ROBERTO CODALLO

Within the space of 12 balls, the off-spinner–selected to form a dual spin attack with Sulieman Benn–got rid of Smith and his opening partner Alviro Petersen.

Petersen, who spent a little more than two hours getting to 31, fell in similar fashion to his captain, edging a catch to Bravo.

Crucially, Benn also contributed the wicket of the prolific Hashim Amla. So on a day when the weather allowed just two hours and 14 minutes of cricket, the West Indies ended with the advantage, South Africa closing on 70 for three.

There was more than one reason for Chris Gayle to be pleased with that score.

In the first instance, having taken the brave decision to play two spinners, the West Indies captain would have wanted South Africa to be batting last on the dry surface.

Instead, Smith called right.

With fast bowler Kemar Roach’s ankle eventually not proving strong enough to risk in this match, Grenadian pacer Nelon Pascal was also given his debut, to partner Ravi Rampaul with the new ball. That also meant Darren Sammy yet again found himself the odd man out, along with Darren Bravo.

But nothing actually took place on the field until 2.39 p.m. because of intermittent showers that forced an early lunch and then the rescheduling of the new start of play at 12.40.

The slow tempo did not change either once the cricket got going. Not at first. Intent on getting a good start, Smith and Petersen were cautious.

Pascal–who only got three overs–and to a lesser extent Rampaul were tidy but did not get much movement either through the air or off the pitch, or hit the right length to trouble the batsmen.

It was not until the introduction of big Benn in the 12th over that the contest came alive.

Following his dismissal from the field, fining and subsequent dropping for the fifth One-Day International because of his now infamous refusal to do so in the fourth match of the recent series in Dominica, Benn had evidently quickly learned to bowl over the wicket.

Getting turn straight away, he made left-hander Smith in particular look uncertain from that angle and also saw wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin drop Petersen when he was 23.

The combination of Benn (9-4-17-0) and first change Bravo (8-4-12-0) built pressure on the openers, but at tea, taken with the total on 45, they had not been separated.

After the break Benn endured more frustration when umpire Steve Davis first declined his appeal for lbw against Petersen and then was not sufficiently moved by television umpire Simon Taufel’s advice to uphold Gayle’s quite legitimate challenge of his decision. Struck full on the boot between wicket and wicket, Petersen looked plumb out.

But things began to change for the Windies when the score reached 55. It was then that Shillingford (6-2-5-2) and Bravo got rid of Smith.

Five runs later, Amla’s prized wicket fell to Benn, as he too nudged to Bravo.

“Ah tell allyuh ah want Amla boy, ah tell allyuh ah want Amla. Aye! Aye!” Nutsman Jumbo in the Learie Constantine Stand couldn’t believe he had been granted his wish.

And Shillingford gave him a bonus when Petersen unsuccessfully used the TV review system to challenge an lbw decision given by Asad Rauf.

Bad light, first at 4.54 and finally at 5.35, gave the South Africans a reprieve. Jacques Kallis and nightwatchman Paul Harris will resume today once more anticipated rain allows them the chance.

They will then have the strange task of repelling a pair of confident, bonafide West Indian spinners, a sight not seen since Roger Harper and current chairman of selectors Clyde Butts paired up in 1986.

The thought must have given skipper Gayle a quiet chuckle. And renewed hope.

Log on to www.trinidadexpress.com from 9.30 a.m. for LIVE UPDATES from the 1st Test between West Indies and South Africa, at Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain. (Trinidad Express)

Julien Neaves jneaves@trinidadexpress.com

JACK Warner should choose between his posts as Works and Transport Minister and FIFA vice president on the issue of principle, says political scientist Professor Selwyn Ryan.

’I personally would like to see Jack in both. But I think we have to make a decision based on the principle of the thing.’

Speaking with the Express following the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies forum on the 2010 general elections at the UWI St Augustine Campus yesterday, Ryan said that Warner should choose and not ’create problems down the road’.

He added: ’But I think people who commit themselves to working on behalf of the people, on behalf of the State, in certain arenas ought to do it full time.’

Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley has raised the issue with the Integrity Commission which has said that Cabinet ministers must divest their private interests.

Ryan said yesterday that there may be no conflict of interest but his concern was not only Warner’s ability to function at full capacity in both jobs but the wider issues of principle.

He added that he did not know which post Warner will choose but there could be ways for him to be useful in the Government system without necessarily having a Cabinet portfolio.

Another panelist at the forum, newspaper columnist Peter O’Connor, who noted that he has known and worked with Warner since 1970 in the football arena, described the move by Rowley as an excellent tactic of distraction to take the focus off the church at the Heights of Guanapo and other issues. He said the country need to expand their thinking on the issue and saw no reason why Warner could not have both posts, pointing out that his interest in FIFA has nothing to do with this country.

’I tell you this, the whole Caribbean area will recoil in horror if Jack decides to give up FIFA. We will never have a person as powerful in any world organisation as we have in Jack Warner,’ he said, to which the audience responded with loud claps.

O’Connor said while this is not appreciated locally many people in Jamaica, Suriname and Barbados feel very strongly about it.

He predicted that Warner, with or without FIFA, will be a far better Minister of Works and Transport than any previous, particularly the last, Colm Imbert.

Aabida Allaham

President of the Law Association, Martin Daly, says the Attorney General’s decision to employ independent counsel to look into Warner’s position at FIFA was wise considering that the Code of Ethics for parliamentarians does not call on ministers to ’divest themselves of their private interest’.

He said FIFA was not a company but an ’association’.

FIFA is an international governing body of football responsible for the organisation and governance of some of football’s major international tournaments, most notably the FIFA World Cup.

In a telephone interview yesterday, Daly said after conducting detailed research into both the 1987 and 1988 versions of the Code of Ethics, ’it does not contain any requirement for the divestment’ of any private interest.

As such, he has the described the statements made by the Integrity Commission as ’legally unsound’ if it based it on ’those codes’.

However, he maintains that the decision by Attorney General Anand Ramlogan was wise ’because it would be good to know’ what exactly was Warner’s job description and remuneration at FIFA before asking him to make any decision on the matter. (Trinidad Express)

Joel Julien joel.julien@trinidadexpress.com

THE Government has sought independent legal advice on the matter of Works Minister Jack Warner also holding the post of FIFA vice-president, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan said yesterday.

Former attorney general Russell Martineau SC, former Guyanese attorney general, Sir Fenton Ramsahoye QC, and English QC Michael Beloff, have been approached by the State for an opinion in the current potential conflict of interest issue surrounding Warner’s dual roles, Ramlogan said.

And in an effort to assist the trio in their decision, Ramlogan has written to Warner ’to get clarification on the exact terms and conditions which govern his position’ as a FIFA executive.

Ramlogan made the statements at the post-Cabinet news conference at the Office of the Prime Minister, in St Clair yesterday. He also questioned the Integrity Commission’s delay in investigating several long-standing issues including an allegation against Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley.

Warner, who has been a member of the FIFA executive committee since 1983, was sworn in as this country’s Works and Transport Minister on May 28.

The possibility of his two portfolios being a conflict of interest was raised by Rowley on June 4 and culminated in an official letter being sent on Monday to Integrity Commission’s chairman Eric St Cyr, seeking advice on the situation.

On Wednesday, the Commission issued a press release outlining the Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics as it related to Ministers which stated that Cabinet ministers must divest their private interests upon accepting office.

Ramlogan yesterday complimented the Commission for its efficient ’advisory opinion and general guidelines’ on the issue but added that the issue is ’not as clear cut as it appears at first blush’.

And as such the Government will be seeking the advice of the three constitutional experts, Martineau, Ramsahoye and Beloff, he added.

Ramlogan has also written to Warner, who is currently in South Africa for the football World Cup.

Ramlogan has called on the Commission to provide ’a comprehensive listing of each and every allegation that has been made and the status of the investigations’ to the public. He said this would ensure that the public has confidence in the ’Commission’s own operations so that allegations and perceptions of political bias will not bear fruit and fall upon fertile soil.’

The Indo-Trinbago Equality Council (ITEC) yesterday also questioned whether the Commission’s decision on the Warner issue was politically biased.

Ramlogan has called on the Commission to make public the decision of the Landate affair which resulted in an investigation into allegations of material from a State-owned Scarborough Hospital project site being siphoned to a private housing development in Mason Hall, Tobago owned by Rowley’s wife Sharon.

Rowley challenged the Commission’s decision to refer the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions without him being given an opportunity to be heard. He won the lawsuit prompting the then Commission members to resign.

’If Dr Rowley was vindicated I ask for the report be made public so that proper vindication and true public justice can take place. And if it is the matter was suddenly closed or shelved under a misapprehension or a misunderstanding as to what the (High) court ruled, then they must reopen that matter and bring it to its closure in accordance with the principles of natural justice so that the rule of law will prevail. There cannot be one rule for Dr Keith Rowley and another rule for Jack Warner,’ he said. (Trinidad Express)

Kern De Freitas

After 129.4 overs: South Africa 352 all out; Tsotsobe 3 n.o., Boucher c Pascal b Bravo 69.

Boucher goes after a great, fighting innings that got South Africa to what may prove to be a very competitive total at the Queen’s Park Oval. Bravo the bowler to finish it with his first wicket, very deserved it was. Bravo has conceded just 33 runs in 16.4 overs, a shade under two runs per over. It might have been a slower ball, Boucher went for the six, but he was short of the boundary, and debutant Nelon Pascal took a good catch at the boundary.

It was a chance he needed to take, with opportunities slow in coming. The Windies will not get a chance to bat this evening with the light fading over the Oval pitch. But they will certainly fancy a chance to getting to or beyond this total tomorrow, again, assuming the rain will hold.

Join us tomorrow for further updates, as the West Indies reply to South Africa’s 352. Have a good evening all.

After  128 overs: South Africa 350/9; Boucher 68 n.o.,  Tsotsobe 2 n.o.

Boucher is going at it. He hammers Dwayne Bravo back overhead for four to bring up the South Africa’s 350. It’s now 350 for nine, and by all appearances, every run will be crucial when the Windies reply, because this pitch is a good one for batting in the batsmen can get themselves in, but there is something there for the bowlers, especially slower bowlers. It’s going to be an interesting Test from here, weather permitting.

After 120.2 overs: South Africa 330/9; Boucher 50 n.o., Morne Morkel b Benn 2

Benn has struck again; that his five-for. Morkel knelt down to try and sweep one, and edged onto the stumps. It’s 330 for nine, and the West Indies have a chance now to close out the innings, after a big recovery from Ashwell Prince and AB De Villiers, and then Boucher and Steyn. Boucher reaches his fifty, though, before Morkel becomes Benn’s latest victim. Last man Lonwabo Tsotsobe is in.

After 116.2 overs: South Africa 324/8; Boucher 46 n.o., Steyn st Ramdin b Benn 39

Steyn dances down the wicket, looking for another big hit off Benn, and his miss is Ramdin’s gain as he whips off the bails. It’s a windwill shot, literally, as Steyn arms go 360 degrees, to no avail. But it’s the breakthrough West Indies have been waiting for; that partnership was damaging, yielding 86 runs. Morne Morkel will now take strike to Benn.

After 115 overs: South Africa 322/7; Boucher 45 n.o., Steyn 38 n.o.

Steyn is looking to attack Benn, who has returned from the Gerry Gomez Media Centre end. He’s thumped a four and six off him in three balls. Steyn is now stepping up his charge to only his second Test fifty.

After 112 overs: South Africa 298/7; Steyn 20 n.o., Boucher 40 n.o.

Thing are a bit slow now, but Boucher and Steyn are steadily building on South Africa’s score. The partnership is now 60 runs and counting, and they are looking relatively comfortable. Pascal and Rampaul are making the batsmen play, but nothing is happening for the bowlers.

After 107 overs: South Africa 281/7; Steyn 17 n.o., Boucher 32 n.o.

The new ball has been taken in Rampaul’s over. He really hasn’t quite looked himself. His line has been rather inconsistent, and it shows, with him going for 43 runs in 15 overs, while Bravo has gone for just 24 in his 13 overs. Still, the effort is not bad from Rampaul, but his line is not quite what is required.

Post Tea session bowls off…

Well, after a literal tea break for me, it’s back to cricket action. Dwayne Bravo takes up the bowling from the Pavilion end.

After 105 overs: South Africa 277/7; Boucher 26 n.o., Steyn 17 n.o.

It’s tea folks. This partnership has reaped 39 runs, although it hasn’t been without problems for the batsmen. Join us again at 3 p.m., as we go into the final session. Another football update, Uruguay and France are locked in battle at 0-0 after 14 minutes.

After 101 overs: South Africa 273/7; Boucher 24 n.o., Steyn 15 n.o.

Rampaul is continuing to struggle with a leg stump line. Boucher has deflected successive balls down the leg side for four. Bravo has a chat with Rampaul, whose inconsistent line suggests he’s not quite in rhythm. He does have a shout for lbw against Steyn, though.

After 95 overs: South Africa 237/7; Boucher 11 n.o., Steyn 8 n.o.

Shillingford and Benn still operating  in tandem, but South Africa, having trouble getting them away, are looking to pick up the singles. Dale Steyn is no rabbit, though.  He is not afraid to go for the big shot, as he showed with a big six over mid-wicket off Shillingford. They had to find a new ball after that.

After 91.1 overs: South Africa 238/7; Boucher 4 n.o., De Villiers c Ramdin b Benn 68

The edges keeps coming. Even De Villiers, who has been playing the spin well post lunch, almost offered one at bat/pad. But it finally tells on him. He feathers one to Ramdin and the West Indies celebrate.

After 87.1 overs; South Africa 229/6; Prince c Dowlin b Gayle 57; De Villiers 64 n.o.

De Villiers uses his feet well, gets under the ball and lofts Shillingford over mid-wicket before. South Africa evidently ready to press on. The skipper comes on now to turn his arm over, replacing Benn, and right away Ashwell Prince gifts him with a ‘gimme’ down the leg side, and Dowlin accepts gleefully. Partnership ends at 122.

After 85 overs: South Africa 220/5; Prince 53 n.o., De Villiers 59 n.o.

Just as I predicted; the South Africans are particularly edgy…literally….Shillingford and Benn have induced a few edges, but no luck with catches so far. One drops just short of Bravo at slip, as he anticipates a catch off Prince’s reverse sweep, but the ball dies on him as he tries to change direction.

After 82 overs: South Africa 212/5; Prince 52 n.o., De Villiers 52 n.o.

Benn is more effective right now than bowling partner Rampaul. Gayle might want to think about getting Shillingford back on, or maybe even taking a bowl himself. This entire match spin has looked more effective, and all five wickets fell to Shillingford and Benn.

After 77 overs: South Africa 204/5; Prince 46 n.o., De Villiers 50 n.o.

This is a crucial passage of play for the two teams. De Villiers reaches his 50, Prince is close to his. This first hour after lunch could determine if South Africa launch from the platform they built, or West Indies can make further inroads. The hundred partnership is also approaching. In a few overs, as well, the new ball becomes available. It will be interesting to see what Gayle does with it, and when he will choose it.

Play Resumes…

It’s back to action here at the Oval. Sulieman Benn will bowl the first over after lunch, with South Africa 190/5. Ashwell Prince on strike. Should be interesting. Stay with us and find out!

After 73 overs: AT LUNCH, South Africa 190/5; Prince 42 n.o., De Villiers 40 n.o.

It’s lunch, and West Indies will need to go in to the dressing room and regroup after the batsmen put on 83 runs. The bowlers have all pitched in, although Pascal had a couple of no balls toward the end there. But they haven’t been rewarded, despite some close calls for South Africa.

Still, with the match poised nicely on a wicket taking a lot of turn, there is still a lot in the match, with just four sessions bowled. Stay logged on for more updates of Day Two of the First Digicel Home Series Test between the West Indies and South Africa at the Queen’s Park Oval when play resumed at around 12.45 p.m.!

After 71 overs: South Africa 183/5; Prince 38 n.o., De Villiers 39 n.o.

The West Indies debutants have really impressed here. Pascal has bowled wicket to wicket or just outside off, and had De Villiers in all sorts of trouble. But the batsmen have kept their cool, despite a few uncertain moments.

Pascal in fact appeal strongly for a caught behind, there may have been a faint edge, Prince looked to be walking at first, but the umpire says no. too bad Windies have used up their two referrals.

After 68 overs: South Africa 174/5; Princes 35 n.o., De Villiers 37 n.o.

Pascal shouts for lbw of De Villiers off successive balls, but the umpire says way too high, and going down leg. Pascal has not bowled badly; he’s made the batsman play, troubled left-hander Prince as well.

Benn finally replaces Shillingford, who has bowled all morning. No surprise, he has really been bowling well. Benn has been on target for the most part as well. In 34 overs bowled this morning, South Africa have scored 104 runs.

On a football note, Mexico have equalised with just over ten minutes to play in the World Cup opener vs South Africa. It’s now  1-1.

After 64 overs: South Africa 159/5; De Villiers 30  n.o., Prince 27 n.o.

This update is for the football fans. For those who didn’t know, South Africa have taken the lead against Mexico in the World Cup through a 55^th minute goal from Tshabalala, only his seventh international goals. Mexico were stung by a counter attack, and Tshabalala scores a beautiful left-footer from the left side of the goal. The fans are buzzing like a threatening beehive.

Back to the cricket, West Indies have contained the visitors somewhat, but no further inroads. The partnership now stands at 52, with Prince and De Villiers looking to push on a bit.

After 61 overs: South Africa Prince 20 n.o., De Villiers 24 n.o.

Shillingford continues to bowl well. He’s attacking the batsmen, nearly had De Villiers, who knew nothing about an edge that flew past first slip. Bravo hauls it in before the boundary, though.

Bravo is steady as well, makes it difficult to sneak the single with the angle from over the wicket. One gets the feeling they may just be playing the waiting game. Runs are starting to dry up again.

After 58 overs: South Africa 142/5; Prince 19 n.o., De Villiers 21 n.o.

The partnership is building steadily, now. Prince is quick between the wickets, and De Villiers is no snail himself. Bravo, too, is bowling well, he replaces Benn, but South Africa are finding the gaps and pushing for the singles. Shillingford has so far bowled 18 overs for 45 runs, at 2.5 runs per over. Not bad for a spinner.

After 54 overs: South Africa 133/5; Prince 14 n.o., De Villiers 17 n.o.

The West Indies lost their last referral, shouting for a bat/pad catch off Shillingford they were certain about. Turns out, according to replays, he was safer than Fort Knox. Bat and glove miles away from the bat.

South Africa building a partnership now.  Prince and De Villiers looking relatively comfortable against the spinners, looking to pick up their runs between the wicket.

After 50 overs: South Africa 123/5; Ashwell Prince 9 n.o., AB De Villiers 12 n.o.

Hi, it’s Kern De Freitas here, taking over for Roger Seepersad, who has gone to take in the World Cup opener between South Africa and Mexico, the lucky guy. So keep me company for today, as we continue with these live updates of the second day of the First Test bwteween West Indies and South Africa at the Queen’s Park Oval.

It’s the Benn and Shillingford show right now. But Ashwell Prince is trying to attack the spinners, maybe create a little pressure himself. He’s hit fours now off successive overs against both Benn and Shillingford. But 123 for five is not where South Africa would have seen themselves when they won the toss yesterday.

The sprinkling of fans at the Oval will be hoping West Indies can make hay with the sun this morning, and drive the advantage home.

 After 47 overs SA are 107/5 (Prince 0, De Villiers 0)

Shillingford strikes gain, getting some big turn to trap Kallis lbw for 28. The Dominican now has 3/28 from 12.

Benn continues from the other end and the small crowd is now coming alive with the Sun coming out it all its glory.

After 44 overs SA are 100/4 (Kallis 26, De Villiers 0)

An interesting battle going on here now as South Africa look to consolidate after losing four wickets.

After 34 overs SA are 93/4 (Kallis 19, De Villiers 0)

Overnight batsman Harris was the wicket to fall hitting one in the air off Benn and Shillingford taking a simple catch.

Hello and welcome to the second day’s play of the first Digicel Test match at Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain.

I am Roger Seepersad and I will be bringing you all the action for the morning session.

We have some good weather here at the Oval and there are some fans already here waiting for the match to resume.

Just a recap then. South Africa closed Day 1 on 70 for three, Jacques Kallis and Paul Harris is at the crease and Sulieman Benn 1/28) and Shane Shillingford (2/20) were the wicket takers. (Trinidad Express)

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South African fans blowing their vuvuzelas yesterday.()

By: AP Wire

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune was disappointed his team didn’t get loud enough support from the home fans yesterday in the 1-1 draw with Mexico in the opening match of the World Cup.

He said he was hoping the home supporters would be more vocal during the team’s next Group A match against Uruguay on Wednesday.

“I’m disappointed that we didn’t blow a lot of vuvuzelas, but let’s hope in the next game we’ll blow more,” Khune said. “There were not enough. It was more like a Mexico home game.”

The South African fans in the crowd of 84 490 did blow the plastic trumpets throughout the match. But the noise was not as deafening as Khune expected, especially during the first half, when Mexico dominated and had the most chances.

The noise level picked up after South Africa scored the game’s first goal, but died down again as Mexico pressed forward and then equalised. (AP) (Nation News)