Smith's debut century forces draw
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (Reuters) -- Dwayne Smith struck a century on his debut to help West Indies draw the third Test against South Africa at Newlands on Tuesday.
The 20-year-old reached his hundred off just 93 balls as West Indies, requiring 441 to win, batted through the day, reaching 354 for five by the close.
Despite Smith's heroics, the draw means South Africa have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match series.
Smith finished undefeated on 105 while Brian Lara (86) and Ramnaresh Sarwan (69) batted together for over three hours in a third-wicket partnership that produced 156 runs.
"It's good to see the young guys coming in and being very positive -- they seem to have the passion for the game. That's been missing for quite some time," said Lara.
"What I've seen from young Smith so far is tremendous. His work ethic is great and that is what you need. You need to prepare yourself properly for Test cricket."
Smith did not even have a first-class 50 to his name before the Newlands Test, but became the first West Indian to score a century on debut since Basil Williams against Australia in Guyana in 1977-78.
The young Barbados all-rounder said he had tried to play his natural game despite the pressure of the situation on the last day.
"I told myself to be positive and not let anything worry me and that, if I could bat to the end, I could come close to a hundred," he said. "It's an achievement for me and me and I'm happy."
South African hopes were raised when Wavell Hinds was bowled by Shaun Pollock early in the final session, but Smith's contribution proved decisive.
Fast bowler Makhaya Ntini struck twice in the first hour of the day to remove both West Indian openers.
Daren Ganga, went first caught behind by Mark Boucher for 10 when he attempted to hook an Ntini delivery from well outside off stump and was caught behind.
Chris Gayle followed his whirlwind 79-ball century of the first innings with a series of blazing strokes.
But on 32 he attempted to turn a full delivery from Ntini through the leg side, the ball flying off an edge to Herschelle Gibbs in the gully.
Lara and Sarwan dug in with their third-wicket stand as West Indies made a determined bid to salvage a draw.
In marked contrast to his first innings hundred, Lara began at a cracking pace, reaching his 50 from just 58 balls.
As the afternoon progressed, however, his scoring slowed considerably and he eventually fell to the fast bowling of Andre Nel, the West Indian captain attempting a pull shot and edging through to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher.
His 86 came in a little over three hours, having faced 138 balls and hitting 14 fours.
