Century-makers Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis gave South Africa an imposing 233-run lead with seven wickets remaining on the third day of the first Test against New Zealand.
South Africa were in trouble at 47 for two, only 12 runs ahead, when the pair came together to forge a 200-run stand on an even University Oval wicket before the tourists ended at 268 for three in their second-innings.
Smith’s captain’s knock of 115 came to an end with the arrival of the second new ball late in the day, while Kallis atoned for his first-innings failure to reach 107 not out at stumps with Jacques Rudolph on 13.
Earlier, New Zealand were bowled out early in the morning session for 273, a lead of 35 runs, and they had reason to feel confident when Doug Bracewell dismissed Alviro Petersen (25) and Hashim Amla (2) in a five-ball burst.
But from there South Africa’s senior batsmen Smith and Kallis set about regaining the initiative in a carefully measured partnership.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 10th, 2012.
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