Ashwell Prince and Jacques Kallis hit centuries as South Africa moved into a commanding position on the second day of the third Test against Australia at Newlands on Friday.
South Africa were 404 for three at the close, an imposing 195 runs ahead of Australia’s first innings total of 209.
Prince, opening the batting for the first time in Test matches, made 150, while Kallis ended an 11-month century drought with 102 not out. It put South Africa on track to secure a consolation win. Australia clinched the series by winning the first two Tests.
PHOTO: EPA
Controversy surrounded Prince’s return to the South Africa side, but the little left-hander seemed unruffled as he moved to his 11th Test century.
His ton came up off 152 balls when he slammed leg-spinner Bryce McGain to the mid-off boundary. He exchanged handshakes with batting partner Kallis, who was named South Africa captain after Prince had initially been given the job.
Kallis leapt in the air to celebrate the shot that took him to his 31st Test century, but his first in 22 innings spread over 11 months. His joy turned to consternation when umpire Asad Rauf signaled a leg bye.
Then there was confusion when Rauf reversed his decision after television replays showed the ball had hit his bat. Australian captain Ricky Ponting protested, but the run stood.
Prince’s selection was conditional on him opening the batting instead of slotting into his normal position in the middle order.
If he was upset by the move, he didn’t show it. His innings had several phases.
He made a brisk start, scoring 37 off 36 balls before the close on the first day, then had to grind his way to a half-century off another 40 deliveries against tight bowling in the first hour on Friday.
His fluency returned as the intensity of the bowling eased and his century came in the middle of a flurry of three boundaries off successive balls from McGain.
After reaching his century, Prince again scored slowly before picking up the pace again in a 160-run third wicket stand with Kallis that came off 231 balls.
He fell to a leg-side catch by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin off his glove against Ben Hilfenfaus. He was initially given not out by umpire Steve Bucknor, but the decision was reversed after the Australians asked for a referral. Prince faced 249 balls and hit 19 fours and two sixes.
Australian debutant McGain was a major contributor to South Africa’s rapid scoring rate, conceding 102 runs off 11 overs, with Kallis taking particular relish to his bowling.
By contrast, fast bowler Peter Siddle bowled superbly, taking the wicket of Imraan Khan and conceding only 35 runs off 23 overs.
Kallis made an awkward start, being struck twice on the body by Mitchell Johnson and on the helmet by Hilfenhaus in scoring his first two runs. He labored to 4 off 39 balls before taking advantage of some loose bowling by McGain.
SSC Napoli will have to wait one more week to seal the Serie A title after on Sunday being held to a goalless draw at Parma, while closest rivals Inter drew 2-2 in a dramatic game with SS Lazio. Antonio Conte’s team stayed one point ahead of Inter and were unfortunate not to win after twice striking the woodwork through Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Matteo Politano, while Scott McTominay also had a free-kick tipped onto the crossbar. The away side thought they would be handed a chance to take the points from the penalty spot in the 96th minute when David Neres
Omar Marmoush’s stunning long-range strike on Tuesday upstaged Kevin de Bruyne on the Manchester City great’s Etihad farewell. Marmoush let fly from about 30m to put City ahead in their 3-1 win against AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League. The victory moved Pep Guardiola’s team up to third in the standings and left qualification for the UEFA Champions League in their own hands heading into the last round of the season. “It’s really important. To be in the Champions League after what happened [this season] will be really nice,” the City manager said. De Bruyne was making his final home appearance for City before
Brighton & Hove Albion’s Jack Hinshelwood on Monday sealed a dramatic 3-2 victory against Liverpool to leave the English Premier League champions without a win since clinching the title. Arne Slot’s side took the lead through Harvey Elliott’s early opener before Yasin Ayari equalized at the American Express Stadium. Dominik Szoboszlai restored Liverpool’s advantage just before halftime, but Brighton staged a late fightback as Kaoru Mitoma leveled before Hinshelwood came off the bench to net with his first touch. Liverpool have taken just one point from their three matches following the title-clinching rout of Tottenham Hotspur on April 27. The Reds have lost at
Logan O’Hoppe, Taylor Ward and Matthew Lugo homered, and the Los Angeles Angels spoiled Clayton Kershaw’s season debut, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 11-9 on Saturday night to take the first two games of the three-game series. Kershaw allowed three runs and threw 38 pitches in the first inning. The three-time National League Cy Young Award winner lasted four innings, giving up five runs on five hits with three walks and two strikeouts. Shoulder, toe and knee injuries limited Kershaw to seven games last season, and his 2025 debut was delayed as he recovered from multiple offseason surgeries. O’Hoppe had two hits with