Kallis puts South Africa in charge
South Africa's fast bowlers put their side in firm control on the first day of the first Test
against Sri Lanka at the Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg on Friday.
Jacques Kallis took three wickets in six balls as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 192 in their first innings.
In reply, South Africa were 51 for no wicket at close.
Kallis, who finished with his best figures of three for
35, plunged the Sri Lankan batting into disarray with a
devastating burst shortly before tea.
The Sri Lankans were fighting back through Mahela
Jayawardene and skipper Sanath Jayasuriya, who put on 51 for
the fourth wicket, when Kallis had Jayawardene caught behind
for the top score of 39.
Kallis followed up in his next over when Jayasuriya (32)
fended a lifting ball to third slip. New cap Hasantha Fernando
lasted just three balls before being caught at square leg for
nought off a mistimed hook.
Andrew Hall grabbed another wicket before tea, having
Chaminda Vaas caught by Kallis at second slip to complete a
disastrous period for thee tourists, who lost four wickets in
17 balls.
Hashan Tillrakaratne led a minor fightback as the last
three wickets put on 51 before he was run out for 24,
attempting a second run to fine leg in a bid to keep the
strike.
South Africa's decision to field an all-pace attack paid
off on a Wanderers pitch which revived memories of bygone days
when it was a fast bowler's paradise.
The ball carried through with pace and bounce and the
bowlers were aided by a reasonable covering of grass.
Jayasuriya decided to bat first after winning the toss on
a fine, sunny day. But Sri Lanka's troubles started early when
Makhaya Ntini dismissed Russell Arnold for nought in the
second over, when Graeme Smith held the first of three catches
at third slip.
Marvan Atapattu and Kumar Sangakkara put on 44 for the
second wicket and Jayawardene helped Atapattu add 42 for the
second wicket before his stand with Jayasuriya.
But the batsmen were always under pressure, playing and
missing regularly.
The wickets were shared, with Kallis taking three, Shaun
Pollock and Hall two each and Steve Elworthy and Ntini one
apiece.
Elworthy, 37, was unlucky not to take more than one
wicket as he beat the bat several times in his first home Test
appearance.
He had previously played in two Tests, one in England in
1998 and another in New Zealand in 1998-99.
Elworthy and all-rounder Hall came into the side after
the selectors omitted fast bowler Mornantau Hayward and
left-arm spinner Claude Henderson from the side that won two
Tests against Bangladesh last month.
Mail Cricket Editor
