Cape Town: All-rounder Jacques Kallis scored his 33^rd test ton, leading a strong fight back for the home team as South Africa finished the first day of the third test against England at 279 for 6.

Kallis finished the day at 108 not out to keep South African hopes of a comeback in the series alive after the home team was in trouble at 127 for 5. It was a crucial knock for the burly all-rounder after South Africa had lost the second test at Durban by an innings and 98 runs to go 1-0 down in the series.

Earlier, England skipper Andrew Strauss won the toss and opted to bowl first in overcast conditions. And James Anderson proved his skipper right when he got Ashwell Prince (0) to edge one to wicket-keeper Matt Prior off just the fourth ball of the match.

South Africa could have been two down soon, as skipper Graeme Smith, on one at that time, edged the first delivery off the second over by Graham Onions straight to second slip but Graeme Swann couldn’t hang on to a sitter.

Smith and Hashim Amla put on 45 for the second wicket before Amla was leg before wicket to Graham Onions for 14. Smith was the next to go for 30 caught behind off Anderson off the first ball he faced after lunch.

Jacques Kallis and AB De Villiers then consolidated the innings to some extent with a 76 runs stand off 126 balls. Swann, man of the match in the first two Tests, ended the third wicket partnership when he had De Villiers smartly caught at short midwicket by Strauss for 36.

JP Duminy then suffered his second successive first-ball dismissal when he edged a catch to wicketkeeper Matt Prior.

Boucher then provided able support to Kallis. Boucher, in particular, was in splendid form as he made 51 off 87 balls before he was leg before wicket to Broad.

Dale Steyn provided surprisingly capable support to Kallis adding an unbeaten 63 runs for the seventh wicket until bad light stopped play 20 balls after the second new ball was taken. For England, James Anderson finished the day with figures of 2 for 62 while Swann finished with 2 for 74.

Match Summary:

South Africa 279 for 6 (Kallis 108*, Boucher 51, Steyn 26*, Anderson 2-62) v England

Tagged with: Andrew Strauss, Cape Town, Dale Steyn, England, Graeme Smith, Graeme Swann, Jacques Kallis, James Anderson, Mark Boucher, South Africa

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