Prince hundred sets SA on top

South Africa re-established some dominance over Zimbabwe amidst an enthralling second day of play. The hosts enjoyed a decent day of batting to reach 380/6 at the close, but were not without competition from their African counterparts. The centrepiece of the spectacle was Ashwell Prince, who registered his maiden Test match ton and closed unbeaten on 101.

Resuming at 12/0, every South African batsman got a start of sorts. Smith and de Villiers extended their opening stand to 93, with brutal intent and strokeplay against the opening bowlers. The captain was then the first to go. Smith got carried away with aggression and played a suicidal shot to be caught off Chigumbura for 41 off 46 balls. Just 13 runs later, de Villiers too was dismissed, ending an innings of 46 which contained some 7 boundaries and 1 six.

The pattern would continue throughout the day, with partnerships flattering only to deceive. Herschelle Gibbs and Ashwell Prince played themselves in fairly comfortably, though against some purposeful Zimbabwean bowling, before Heath Streak returned to the attack. Streak, the star with the bat on day one, finally found his bowling form and troubled Gibbs in particular, before having Gibbs caught off the top edge for 47.

Prince then linked with Mark Boucher (18), until the wicketkeeper-batsman granted his wicket to Cremer by lofting a delivery to short extra-cover. The score was then 219/5 when Jacques Kallis made his delayed entry to proceedings, batting at number 7 due to a hip ailment. He quickly dismissed his injury and played himself in for a score of 58, then he played on to Streak.

Playing the less glamorous, but still positive role throughout the day, Ashwell Prince reached his hundred facing 155 balls with 13 fours and 2 sixes. He added just 1 more single before stumps, with his partner Nicky Boje rather more dominating the final exchanges. Boje will resume tomorrow on 24, an innings containing 4 boundaries to date.

Score Summary:

Zimbabwe 1st innings 269 ao (85 overs)
HH Streak 85, AM Blignaut 52, DD Ebrahim 37
JH Kallis 4/33, M Zondeki 3/66, A Nel 2/17

South Africa 1st innings 380/6 (91 overs)
AG Prince 101*, JH Kallis 58, AB de Villiers/HH Gibbs 47, GC Smith 41
HH Streak 2/57, AG Cremer 2/105