Posted On Saturday, November 10, 2012 at 08:40:12 AM
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| Australia's Peter Siddle, foreground, is comforted by his team mate Ricky Ponting |
Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis became South Africa’s greatest scoring partnership as the Proteas dominated Australia’s bowlers to seize control on day one of the first Brisbane Test on Friday.
South Africa, though, have lost the services of JP Duminy after he ruptured his left Achilles’ tendon at the end of day’s play.
Kallis previously held his country’s aggregate record with current coach Gary Kirsten at 3592 runs in partnerships throughout 64 Tests, and has now surpassed that with Amla following their 136-run partnership for the third wicket.
At day’s end, the pair had accumulated 3607 runs together in their 58th Test while Amla, the number one-ranked Test batsman, passed 5,000 Test runs.
South Africa reached their position of strength through resolute batting on a flattening wicket, mixed with some missed Australian chances and the rub of the green.
The pair rammed home the advantage with an unbeaten century stand as the world’s best team blunted the Australian attack to have the South Africans in command after winning the toss.
When bad light stopped play eight overs before scheduled stumps, South Africa were 255 for two with Amla unbeaten on 90 and Kallis providing solid support on 84. It was a strong statement of intent by the South Africans in their bid to follow up their first-ever series win in Australia on their last tour, in 2008-09.
“We wanted to really put our peg in the ground and I think we did that really well,” opening batsman Alviro Petersen said. “Two wickets down, we’re in a comfortable position but tomorrow’s going to be really important.”
Kallis had a reprieve on 42 in the over after tea when he miscued Peter Siddle to mid-off where he was safely held by Nathan Lyon, but umpire Asaf Raud checked back whether Siddle had over-stepped. Replays showed Siddle’s heel on the line and the TV umpire ruled a no-ball for Kallis to stay at the crease -- much to Australia’s anguish.
Siddle added to Australia’s frustrations when he put down a caught and bowl chance six overs later when Amla was on 74 and South Africa at 206 for two. Skipper Graeme Smith was out following a review in the 11th over after umpire Billy Bowden initially turned down James Pattinson’s lbw appeal.
Petersen had a controversial letoff when he appeared out lbw to a Ben Hilfenhaus inswinging yorker when on 51. The Australians went for their third referral but the TV umpire ruled “umpire’s call” despite replays showing the ball first hitting Petersen’s leading foot and projected by Hawkeye technology to be heading for middle and off-stump. Petersen threw away his wicket on 64 when he hit Nathan Lyon straight to Michael Hussey at midon in the 39th over.
Brief Scores:
SA: 2 for 255 (Amla 90*, Kallis 84*, Petersen 64) v Australia
Steyn bowls at cardboard cut outs
The leaked Australian dossier on South Africa had said that Dale Steyn isn't as effective against left-hand batsmen. Both teams have shrugged off the dossier but Steyn it seems is keen to prove that observation wrong.
He has been bowling at a cardboard cut (of a left-hand batsman) in the Gabba nets to ensure his line and length are right.
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08:23:44 AM