Kallis hits tow as S Africa dominate Test with N Zealand

CENTURION (South Africa)—Jacques Kallis hit his fifth Test century in seven innings as South Africa moved into a commanding position on the second day of the second and final Test against New Zealand at Centurion Park Saturday.
Kallis made 131 not out as South Africa reached 251 for two at tea in reply to New Zealand’s first innings of 188.
Kallis and Hashim Amla, who had a partnership of 330 during South Africa’s 358-run win in the first Test in Johannesburg, shared another big stand, putting on an unbeaten 220 for the third wicket. Amla was on 77 not out.
It was a dominant performance by Kallis after a shaky start on a pitch with some uneven bounce.
After taking 94 balls to reach 50 he needed only another 49 to post his 29th Test hundred and his fifth against New Zealand. His century included 13 fours and two sixes. He scored 95 runs off 90 balls between lunch and tea.
When he was on six Kallis, playing in his eighth Test of the year, became the first batsman to make 1000 runs in 2007.
Kallis and Amla, who was content to play a supporting role, came together after opening bowler Chris Martin dismissed opening batsmen Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs.
South Africa needed only four balls at the start of the day to wrap up New Zealand’s first innings, with Makhaya Ntini having Martin caught at second slip by Kallis after captain Daniel Vettori had added a single run to New Zealand’s 187 for eight overnight.
Opening batman Craig Cumming, who retired hurt on 48 after being struck by a Dale Steyn bouncer Friday, did not bat and was ruled out of the rest of the match after surgery Friday night to repair a fractured right cheekbone and jaw.
Martin’s first ball of the innings lifted sharply and looped off the shoulder of Smith’s bat over gully for two runs but the South African captain was out to the last ball of the over when he played an indecisive defensive shot and was bowled off an inside edge.
Gibbs started his innings with a runner after injuring a knee while fielding Friday. He batted aggressively to make 25 off 27 balls before he was bowled by a ball from Martin which cut back sharply, with Gibbs stuck on his crease and not using his feet.—Agencies