How often have we heard that cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties? And how often has it been proved right?
 

When the Proteas arrived in the West Indies, everyone expected that the first Test at Guyana would be a cakewalk for them, considering the fact that the Caribbeans were a depleted side in the absence of seniors like Lara, Sarwan and Gayle due to the contract dispute. But as things turned out, the home side dominated the Test and only some resolute batting on the last day prevented South Africa from defeat. Then going into the second Test at Port-of-Spain, the Windies were considered favourites with all the above-mentioned experienced players making a comeback. Once again, things did not go as per the expected script and the visitors romped home to an easy eight-wicket victory to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
 

There were many who made an impression in the game. But one man stood out. Makhaya Ntini, the fiery medium-pacer from South Africa, returned with a career-best match haul of 13 wickets. Ntini, who has modelled his bowling action on the legendary Malcolm Marshall, was almost unplayable as he got rid of one batsman after the other with his crushing yorkers and threatening snorters. The Test was poised for a tantalising finish on the final day, but Ntini's burst where he ran through the lower half of the Windies batting line-up made victory a mere formality for the Proteas.
 

The West Indies also had their share of individual brilliance in the form of Brian Lara, but it was not good enough as he did not get the required support from his fellow batsmen. Lara made a sensational comeback to Test cricket with an exquisite 196 before falling to a beauty from Andre Nel. His partnership with current skipper Chanderpaul on day one raised hopes of a huge Windies total. But once Chanderpaul fell, the home side completely lost their way. Lara was the only one who stood firm amidst the ruins and was largely responsible for the Caribbeans reaching a respectable score of 347.
 

If the Windies had to make a match of it, it was important for their fast bowlers to strike early. But Graeme Smith ensured that the left-handers' domination in the series continued. Though nowhere near as exciting and enthralling as Lara's knock, the South African skipper's effort was equally important and went a huge way in helping South Africa gain a slender but crucial lead. It could have been more but for the late-order's unexpected collapse to the spin of Chris Gayle.
 

Gayle failed with the bat though in both the innings as did most of his other colleagues who succumbed to Ntini. If Lara was the only saving grace for the Windies in the first innings, things weren't too different in the second essay either. Ramnaresh Sarwan completed a dogged century even as wickets kept tumbling around him. A good partnership with Dwayne Bravo thwarted the visitors for a while. But once it was broken the tail wilted under pressure leaving Sarwan stranded. Apart from the batting, the home team's bowling also left much to be desired. Their no-ball problems were only accentuated in this game with wickets falling off these illegal deliveries more than once.
 

South Africa deserve to be credited for coming back strongly after a not so impressive performance in the opening Test. The skipper led from the front, making important contributions in both innings, and his opening partner A B De villiers also made an impact with an aggressive half-century on the final day. Though Makhaya Ntini walked away with the Man of the Match trophy and deservedly, the contributions by the other bowlers were also vital. Andre Nel, though wayward at times, bowled aggressively throughout and also showed that he had a knack of producing unplayable deliveries. Nicky Boje will remember this Test if for nothing else, then only for getting Lara out early in the second innings. All in all, a good team show by the Proteas, but this undoubtedly will be remembered as Makhaya Ntini's Test match.