Kallis And Petersen Punish Slack Sri Lanka

Kallis And Petersen Punish Slack Sri Lanka

Jacques Kallis was in imperious form on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka

©REUTERS / Action Images

South Africa 347-3 (Kallis 159no, Petersen 109) v
Sri Lanka
Third Test, Cape Town, day one
Scorecard

Jacques Kallis marked his 150th Test match appearance by scoring his 41st Test century as South Africa totally dominated the opening day of the decisive third game against Sri Lanka in Cape Town.

Kallis was unbeaten on 159 and opener Alviro Petersen celebrated his recall with 109 as the pair helped the home side close on 347 for three.

Their dominance came after Tillakaratne Dilshan won the toss and invited his opponents to bat but that was all Sri Lanka won all day.

Although Hashim Amla and Graeme Smith both fell cheaply for 16, the runs flowed at an alarming rate from a Sri Lanka point of view.

Passing 100, Kallis became the 12th man to score centuries against all nine other Test-playing nations and emulated Allan Border, who also reached three figures in his 150th match.

And by reaching 50 in just 42 balls, he scored his third-quickest half-century to underline South Africa's control of proceedings.

Sri Lanka, who bowled so well in Durban as they fought their way back in the series, produced an insipid display, leaking runs at five an over in the opening session and failing to take a wicket in the middle session before eventually removing Kallis to break a 205-run partnership between Kallis and Petersen.

Petersen, back in the side to replace Ashwell Prince and taking over Jacques Rudolph's spot at the top of the order, took full advantage of his opportunity to stroke his second Test century and first since his maiden innings against India in 2010.

He stroked 13 fours and a six in 188 balls but as delightfully as he batted, he was overshadowed by Kallis, who caved 21 fours and one six in 215 balls.

It could have been so different had Chanaka Welagedara (1-75) at fine leg made some attempt to catch Kallis off the bowling of Dammika Prasad (2-85) when he was on two but in line with his side's day, he took a step back and allowed the batsman off the hook.

Welagedara would later have Petersen caught by Dilshan but by then the damage had well and truly been done.

© Cricket World 2012