JOHANNESBURG – Jacques Kallis became the fourth leading run-scorer in Test cricket as he passed 12 000 runs, but South Africa ruined the party by being bowled out for 266 on the first day of the second Test against Australia yesterday.
South Africa were in a strong position thanks to half-centuries by Kallis (54), AB de Villiers (64) and Ashwell Prince (50), but they lost their way after tea as Australia took six wickets for 25 runs in 11 overs.
Paceman Peter Siddle claimed three for 69, while spinners Nathan Lyon and Michael Clarke took two wickets apiece as South Africa let a weakened Australian attack off the hook in perfect batting conditions.
The visitors were a man down for most of the day after seamer Shane Watson limped off with a hamstring strain after bowling just 3.5 overs.
South Africa had the bowlers at their mercy as Kallis and Hashim Amla (19) added 80 runs off just 85 balls for the third wicket and their collapse was down to loose strokeplay more than anything else.
Kallis lashed his 54 off just 41 balls before casually flicking Siddle to midwicket.
He played with tremendous authority and a sumptuous cover drive sent his first ball, bowled by Watson, racing to the boundary and drew him level with West Indian left-hander Brian Lara on 11 953 runs.
He then took a single off his third delivery to surpass Lara, leaving only Indians Sachin Tendulkar (15 086 in 183 Tests) and Rahul Dravid (12 979 in 159 Tests) and Australia’s Ricky Ponting (12 495 in 155 Tests) ahead of him on the run-scorers’ list. (Reuters)
