Kallis Holds Firm With 55th Test Half-Century

Kallis Holds Firm With 55th Test Half-Century

Jacques Kallis (right) hits out, watched by Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni

©REUTERS/Mike Hutchings (SOUTH AFRICA - Tags: SPORT CRICKET) Picture Supplied by Action Images

South Africa 232-4 (Kallis 81no) v India
Third Test, Cape Town, day one
Scorecard

Jacques Kallis stroked his 55th Test half-century to guide South Africa to a score of 232 for four on a rain-interrupted opening day of the decisive third Test against India in Cape Town.

Kallis was unbeaten on 81 when stumps were drawn with 73 overs bowled and Hashim Amla also scored a half-century, making 59 before becoming one of two wickets for Shanthakumaran Sreesanth.

Sreesanth troubled the South Africans with controlled swing and pace, having Amla caught by Cheteshwar Pujara as he took on a short ball and then having AB de Villiers caught by wicket-keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni as he drove at a ball outside off stumps for 26.

India struck early having won the toss and chosen to bowl as Zaheer Khan had Graeme Smith trapped in front for six and Ishant Sharma had Alviro Petersen caught by Dhoni for 21.

Amla and Kallis frustrated India with a 72-run stand for the third wicket that took the score past 100 before Sreesanth's double strike briefly gave India the upper hand.

Kallis, however, who had faced 169 balls by stumps, held firm, along with Ashwell Prince, who had made 28 in 69 balls, to ensure that the honours were shared.

Sreesanth finished with two for 70 from his 21 overs.

The series is level at 1-1 after South Africa won the opener at Centurion Park before India hit back in Durban.

© Cricket World 2011