2nd Test: Kallis passes milestone but South Africa stumble

Hosts bowled out for 266 on opening day of second Test.

JOHANNESBURG: Jacques Kallis became the fourth leading run-scorer in Tests as he passed 12,000 runs but South Africa ruined the party by being bowled out for 266 on the first day of the second match against Australia.              

South Africa were in a strong position thanks to half-centuries by Kallis (54), AB de Villiers (64) and Ashwell Prince (50), but they lost their way after tea as Australia took six wickets for 25 runs in 11 overs.

The hosts were all out in 71 overs, having won the toss and chosen to bat at The Wanderers.

Paceman Peter Siddle claimed three for 69, while spinners Nathan Lyon and Michael Clarke took two wickets apiece as South Africa let a weakened Australian attack off the hook in perfect batting conditions.

The visitors were a man down for most of the day after seamer Shane Watson limped off with a hamstring strain after bowling just
3.5 overs.

South Africa had the bowlers at their mercy as Kallis and Hashim Amla (19) added 80 runs off just 85 balls for the third wicket and their collapse was down to loose strokeplay more than anything else.

Kallis is now behind India’s Sachin Tendulkar (15,086) and Rahul Dravid (12,979) and Australia’s Ricky Ponting (12,495) in the run-scorers’ list.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 18^th,  2011.