Kallis hundred stirs dull draw

A resilient hundred from Jacques Kallis assisted South Africa to a tame draw in the first Test against the West Indies. All his powers of concentration were tested as he scored his sixth hundred against the regional side and 21st of his career. Kallis faced 346 balls for an unbeaten 109.

He added 51 runs with Rudolph for the third wicket and 139 with Gibbs, as the West Indies bowlers simply could not find any penetration on the Bourda pitch. Only two wickets fell on the day, though two catches were dropped early by Courtney Browne.

The West Indies wicketkeeper floored a difficult chance down the legside against Rudolph, off Powell, then missed a simpler and more crucial one off Kallis. Chanderpaul was the bowler for the latter as he persisted with the old ball and spin for 13 overs after the new ball was due.

The ploy did work to an extent though, as Deonarine trapped Rudolph in front in the next over with an arm ball that kept low. The wicket brought some semblance of life into the West Indians and Gibbs to the crease.

Typically flamboyant, Gibbs set out to temper his game and struggled early on against Pedro Collins. He survived the early going, including a confident LBW shout and an edge where third slip would have been, to post a solid 49. Facing 206 balls, it was one of Gibbs’ more restrained innings.

Gibbs was out soon to the finish, misjudging a Ryan Hinds offering outside legstump and being bowled without a shot played. He gave way to Mark Boucher, but the game was already saved realistically. Boucher finished not out on 4.

For his efforts in the first innings, Shivnarine Chanderpaul was the Man of the Match on his captaincy debut.

Score Summary:

West Indies 1st innings 543/5 dec. (152.1 overs)
WW Hinds 213, S Chanderpaul 203 not out, RO Hinds 48
A Nel 3/93, CK Langeveldt 1/65, N Boje 1/106

South Africa 1st innings 130/6 (37 overs)
AB de Villiers/MV Boucher 41, N Boje 34
PT Collins 3/39, RD King 3/48, DB Powell 3/61

South Africa 2nd innings (following on) 269/4 (161 overs)
JH Kallis 109 not out, HH Gibbs 49, GC Smith 34
RO Hinds 1/27, N Deonarine 1/35

Result: Match Drawn
Series: 0-0
Man of the Match: S Chanderpaul