Cricket: De Villiers saves best to last

South Africa 293 and 94-2 Pakistan 106

FANIE DE VILLIERS, playing in his last Test match after announcing his retirement on Saturday, claimed career-best figures of 6 for 23 as he and fellow fast bowler Allan Donald put South Africa on top on the third day of the third and final Test against Pakistan in Port Elizabeth yesterday.

South Africa lead by 281 and gives them a good chance of squaring the series despite the loss of the second day's play to rain.

Donald started the destruction with a burst of four wickets for five runs in 13 balls and after Pakistan staggered to lunch at 39 for 4, De Villiers took over with a superb display of swing bowling.

Donald took his first three wickets in 13 balls without conceding a run and it took an unbeaten 30 from Wasim Akram to take Pakistan past the follow-on mark.

Earlier Waqar Younis took his 250th Test wicket in his 51st Test when De Villiers was caught at second slip.