HASHIM AMLA and Jacques Kallis became the most productive batting pair in South African cricket history, posting their 11th century stand as the Proteas reached an imposing 255-2 on the first day of the first Test at the Gabba in Brisbane on Friday.
Amla was unbeaten on 90 at the close of play with Kallis on 84 not out during an unbroken third wicket partnership of 136 which took their partnership aggregate to 3 607 runs at an average in excess of 65. Three of their century stands have exceeded 200 with a further three reaching triple century status.
Both men survived a chance but made the best of their luck to grow in confidence and stature and will have a golden opportunity on day two to build an impregnable position on a pitch which seems certain to become even better for batting on days two and three.
Amla’s only blemish came on 43 when he was deceived by a well-disguised slower ball from Peter Siddle which he drove straight back to the bowler only to see the return catch fumbled. Kallis was even more fortunate on 43 when a top-edged pull against Siddle was comfortably held at mid-off only for the third umpire, Richard Kettleborough, to confirm on-field colleague Asad Rauf’s suspicion that it was a no ball.
Graeme Smith’s decision to bat first looked good from the very beginning of the innings with the pitch showing few signs of assisting the seamers despite an even covering of grass. The captain was the first to depart, however, lbw ‘on review’ to James Pattinson in the 11th over for 10.
Alviro Petersen played several confident pull shots during his 64 from 127 deliveries with seven boundaries but confidence contributed to his downfall when a lofted drive against spinner Nathan Lyon was caught at mid-on by Mike Hussey.
Kallis and Amla made certain that the tourists won the first day of the series, however, although it still ended on a disappointing note when J-P Duminy, playing as the sole spinner after Rory Kleinveldt was given a debut ahead of leg-spinner Imran Tahir, twisted an ankle in the warm-downs after play and was taken to a local hospital for x-rays.
Play finished eight overs early due to bad light and light rain and there are further showers forecast for Saturday.
The only dampener on the Proeas near perfect day was JP Duminy injuring his left knee in a warm-down training accident.
The 28-year-old all rounder was kicking a rugby ball with team mates at the Gabba after the day's play when the incident happened.
Team medical staff treated him on the ground before he was helped from the field and taken to hospital for tests.
The injury could be a setback for South Africa if Duminy is unable to bowl his off breaks as the Proteas opted for five pace bowlers, leaving legspinner Imran Tahir out of the starting XI and handing a test debut to seamer Rory Kleinveldt.
