We awoke this morning to hear that the Jamaican Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, had declared a State of Emergency on the island for the minimum of one month. After two ODI’s in Dominica, Jamaica becomes our home for almost three weeks for the final ODI, a warm up game and then the first Test. This decision, therefore, is bound to have repercussions on this tour. Although nothing definite has been decided as yet, it is possible that the matches designated for Jamaica will be re-scheduled to another island.

Meanwhile I have some breaking news. Last evening, after I had sent my blog I went down to Tony’s for a quiet lemonade with a couple of the lads and it was so hot there, I did the unthinkable. Yes, I braved the possibility of a freak wave and plunged into the ocean. The water was beautiful, cold enough to cool you down yet nowhere near as breathtaking as running into the water off Camps Bay 1, 2, 3 or 4. So, now having broken my duck so to speak, I might well be tempted to tiptoe into the sea more often!

Now to the cricket. Another really hot and surprisingly humid day greeted the players at the Sir Vivian Richards stadium and at last Graeme Smith won a toss. Having won the opening three matches batting first at the behest of Chris Gayle, it made complete sense to continue in that vein. Hashim Amla and Graeme Smith got the Proteas off to another good start and then Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, and another little gem from David Miller ensured that South Africa reached a total of 300 which was always likely to be too many for the West Indies.

Chris Gayle started threateningly and his opening partner Dale Richards made a fine half century. Dwayne Bravo and Keiron Pollard got together and formed a partnership that threatened for an uncomfortable period of time but South Africa always seemed to have the game under control. Darren Sammy had other ideas. With the walking wounded hobbling in and out again, Sammy smashed the fastest ever 50 by a West Indian and all but won the game.

That brings our stay in Antigua to an end although we do have another full day off again tomorrow before moving on to Dominica. My plan is a day out on the water on a catamaran and who knows, I may just risk that tidal wave again. Bye for now