UPDATE 2-Cricket-West Indies face battle to save test

(updates at close)

By Telford Vice

DURBAN, South Africa, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Centuries by Graeme Smith, Ashwell Prince and AB de Villiers put South Africa in a commanding position in the deciding third test against West Indies on Friday.

West Indies, who need 417 to make South Africa bat again, were 23 without loss in their second innings at stumps on the second day.

South Africa declared their first innings closed on 556 for four, made in reply to West Indies' 139. Smith scored 147, Prince made an undefeated 123 and De Villiers weighed in with 103 not out.

The centurions were supported by Hashim Amla's 69 and an innings of 74 by Jacques Kallis.

Smith and Amla resumed on 213-1, and a cloudless sky denied the West Indian bowlers the overcast conditions that had made their South African counterparts a rasping threat on the first day.

Medium pacer Darren Sammy struck in the ninth over of the day when Amla tried to work a delivery to the leg side and instead steered a catch to Dwayne Bravo at silly mid-off to halt the second-wicket stand at 199.

Six balls later Jerome Taylor had Smith caught behind by wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin, who dived in front of first slip to end an innings of four hours in which Smith faced 165 balls and hit 27 fours.