Kallis, Petersen put South Africa on top
Jacques Kallis and Alviro Petersen hit centuries as South Africa
dominated the first day of the third and final Test against Sri Lanka at
Newlands on Tuesday.
South Africa were 347 for three at the close after being sent in to
bat.
Kallis, playing in his 150th Test match, was on 159 not out. He and
Petersen (109) put on 205 for the third wicket, a record for South
Africa against Sri Lanka.
It was a triumphant return to his home town for Kallis after making
the first ‘pair’ of his career during South Africa’s defeat in the
second Test in Durban. He was in imperious form as he reached his
half-century off 37 balls and his century off 114 deliveries with 17
fours.
His scoring rate slowed later in the day and by the close he had
faced 215 balls and hit 21 fours and a six. It was Kallis’ 41st Test
century, his ninth at Newlands - and his first against Sri Lanka. He
joined Gary Kirsten, the current coach, as the only South Africans to
hit centuries against all nine possible Test opponents.
Petersen scored a century on his debut against India in Kolkata in
2009/10 but made only three half-centuries in eight subsequent
appearances and was replaced as captain Graeme Smith’s opening partner
by Jacques Rudolph at the start of this season.
Rudolph was shifted to number six in the batting order to make way
for Petersen, who was rewarded for strong domestic form.
Petersen took full advantage of his recall with an authoritative
innings which included 13 fours and a six.
He saw two partners leave early, with both Smith and Hashim Amla
falling to fast bowler Dhammika Prasad, who replaced the injured Dilhara
Fernando. There was an anxious wait for Petersen, who was stuck on 99
during the tea break. AFP
SCORECARD SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings
G. Smith b Prasad 16
A. Petersen c Dilshan b Welegedera 109
H. Amla lbw b Prasad 16
J. Kallis not out 159
A. de Villiers not out 45
Extras (nb2) 02
Total (3 wkts, 90 overs) 347
Fall of wickets: 1-25 (Smith), 2-56 (Amla), 3-261 (Petersen).
Bowling: Welegedera 21-5-75-1 (2nb), Perera 14-1-81-0, Prasad 18-2-85-2,
Mathews 9-0-34-0, Herath 26-4-63-0, Dilshan 2-0-9-0. |
