Classy Kallis Shines in City of Joy

A gutsy and elegant century by Jacques Kallis gave South Africa great comfort after a spirited effort by the Indian pace attack put the early pressure on South Africa in the second test at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Graeme Smith won the toss and immediately put India into the field as Justin Ontong and Hashim Amla came into the side for Martin Van Jaarsveld and Robin Peterson. India had bought in their pace sensation, Irfan Pathan in place of an unfortunate Murali Kartik.

The test match began in explosive fashion as Graeme Smith edged a wide Pathan delivery to a diving Dinesh Karthik. Smith lasted only two deliveries and was heading back to the pavilion for 0.

A underfire Jacques Rudolph walked into the middle after making a relatively poor start to his Indian tour. South Africa was dealt another blow as fellow left arm fast bowler Zaheer Khan struck with the important wicket of Andrew Hall.

Hall who had been instrumental in Kanpur with his gritty 163 was gone for only 7 as India looked to be on top. South Africa however reconsolidated, thanks to the young Rudolph and the ever determined Jacques Kallis.

The pair played each ball on its merit and when the time was right, helped themselves and took advantage of the lose deliveries. Rudolph registered his half century, his first on Indian soil as the score went past 100.

India fought back however as Zaheer Khan uprooted Rudolph's off stump with a good, sharp moving delivery and all of a sudden Rudolph was walking back to the pavilion for 61 and South Africa were 3/130.

This meant that the debutant, Hashim Amla's time had come. Being a prolific first class batsman for South Africa and originally being from India meant that this occasion at Eden Gardens was a very special one for him.

Amla got off to a good positive start as he cut Kumble away for four and got his innings underway. At the other end, Kallis was as determined and as classy as ever as he went past his 50 and on his way to another century.

Just as South Africa was reconsolidating, India struck back in the form of Irfan Pathan as the young left arm swing bowler broke through the defences of Amla and cleaned up his stumps as Amla was bowled for 24.

Dippenaar didn't last too long either as Pathan picked up his third wicket of the match as Dippenaar edged to Karthik and he was heading back to the pavilion for only 1.

The fall of wickets didn't stop Jacques Kallis though, as the classy right hander went past his 17th test match century and his first against India in his career. Soon afterwards bad light stopped play and South Africa were 5/227 at stumps.


Brief Score Summary:

South Africa (1st Innings): 5/227 (Kallis 103*, Rudolph 61*, De Bruyn 15*, Pathan 3/61, Zaheer 2/46)

Posted by Sangrah